National Weather ServiceUtahRed Flag WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Red Flag Warnings in Utah
The National Weather Service issued 34 red flag warnings for Utah in 2025 and 36 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 16th most of any state. 2026 through September: 44, 29% above the average of 34 for those months in 2008-2025. Colorado River Basin was covered most often (195 times since 2008).
How many red flag warnings does Utah get?
Every red flag warning that covered part of Utah. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 44 |
| 2025 | 34 |
| 2024 | 27 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2022 | 31 |
| 2021 | 52 |
| 2020 | 87 |
| 2019 | 54 |
| 2018 | 58 |
| 2017 | 22 |
| 2016 | 31 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2014 | 24 |
| 2013 | 29 |
| 2012 | 57 |
| 2011 | 20 |
| 2010 | 46 |
| 2009 | 19 |
| 2008 | 39 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Utah get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Utah?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado River Basin | 195 | 56 | June 30, 2026 |
| Book Cliffs | 161 | 49 | June 30, 2026 |
| Grand Staircase | 152 | 33 | August 2, 2026 |
| Color Country West Desert | 147 | 27 | August 7, 2026 |
| Central Utah West Desert | 145 | 24 | August 2, 2026 |
| Mojave Desert | 145 | 23 | August 2, 2026 |
| Southeast Utah | 145 | 50 | August 3, 2026 |
| San Rafael Swell | 135 | 22 | August 3, 2026 |
| Eastern Uintah Basin | 126 | 39 | June 30, 2026 |
| Henry Mountains | 111 | 23 | June 30, 2026 |
| Salt Lake Desert | 109 | 19 | June 26, 2026 |
| Western Uintah Basin | 105 | 16 | August 2, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest red flag warnings for Utah in AreaZine's record
NWS Salt Lake CityWarningAugust 7, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Color Country West Desert and Color Country Mountains, UT
Expired 9:00 p.m. MDT, August 7, 2026
NWS Grand JunctionWarningAugust 2, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Southwest Colorado Lower Forecast Area and Southeast Utah, CO and UT
Expired 8:00 p.m. MDT, August 3, 2026
NWS Salt Lake CityWarningAugust 2, 2026
Red Flag Warning: San Rafael Swell, UT
Expired 10:00 p.m. MDT, August 3, 2026
NWS Salt Lake CityWarningAugust 1, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Wasatch Mountains, Western Ashley National Forest, Western Uintah Basin and 7 more, UT
Expired 10:00 p.m. MDT, August 2, 2026
NWS Salt Lake CityWarningJuly 9, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Color Country West Desert, Color Country Mountains and Grand Staircase, UT
Expired 12:00 a.m. MDT, July 11, 2026
NWS Salt Lake CityWarningJuly 8, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Color Country West Desert, Color Country Mountains and Grand Staircase, UT
Expired 9:00 p.m. MDT, July 9, 2026
NWS Grand JunctionWarningJuly 1, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Southwest Colorado Lower Forecast Area, Paradox Valley, Northern San Juan and 4 more, CO and UT
Expired 8:00 p.m. MDT, July 2, 2026
NWS Grand JunctionWarningJune 30, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Southwest Colorado Lower Forecast Area, Paradox Valley, North Fork and 2 more, CO and UT
Expired 8:00 p.m. MDT, July 1, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a red flag warning?
A red flag warning means critical fire weather is happening or about to happen: strong wind, very low humidity and dry fuels together, so a fire that starts can spread fast. Each office sets the criteria with its land-management partners. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in Utah.