SALT LAKE CITY – Utah state and federal wildfire officials gathered at the Utah State Capitol to commemorate the success of the Fire Sense Program, celebrating three consecutive years of declining wildfire incidents. The remarkable achievements were highlighted as Governor Spencer Cox and fire officials acknowledged the positive impact of Fire Sense in reducing human-caused wildfires.

Despite concerns of heightened fire risks due to factors such as extreme drought and abundant vegetation, data from 2020 to 2023 revealed a substantial reduction in human-caused wildfires. The numbers dropped by 52% in the first year and an additional 56% over the following two years, as illustrated below:

Human-caused wildfire incidents

• 2020: 1,176
• 2021: 570
• 2022: 466
•  2023: 288

“Fire Sense has significantly contributed to the reduction of human-caused wildfires in Utah,” stated Governor Spencer Cox. “Neighboring states have taken notice of the campaign’s success, showcasing Utah’s leadership on critical issues that impact us all.”

The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands organized a ceremony at the Utah State Capitol to recognize the dedication of state and federal leaders who played a crucial role in guiding residents to exercise Fire Sense in outdoor activities, fireworks usage, debris burning, and firearm use.

In response to the alarming increase in human-caused wildfires in 2020, Governor Cox initiated a comprehensive statewide public awareness campaign – the Fire Sense campaign. The campaign aimed to prevent and reduce human-caused wildfires by drawing attention to behaviors that commonly spark wildfires.

“We are proud of the work our fire staff and prevention program have done to raise awareness about the impact people have on wildfire starts,” expressed Jamie Barnes, Director/State Forester for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. “People are responsible for nine out of ten wildfire starts across the country, but we have successfully cut that number in half.”

In recognition of its impact on fire prevention at the state level, Fire Sense received the bronze-level Smokey Bear Award in September 2023. The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands honored Governor Cox with a golden Pulaski for his ongoing support of Fire Sense and fire prevention efforts in the state.

Representatives of interagency partners who played a crucial role in the success of the Fire Sense campaign over the last three years were also presented with golden Pulaskis. The Pulaski tool, commonly used by wildland firefighters, was named after Ed Pulaski, a hero during the Big Blowup of 1910.

About Fire Sense

Fire Sense, now in its third year, is managed by the Utah Department of Natural Resources in collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management, the US Forest Service, the National Park Service, and others. Through behavior change communication, media, and strong public/private partnerships, Fire Sense has achieved impressive success with three years of reduced human-caused wildfires. The program has received national and state recognition from agencies for best practices in wildfire prevention. For more information on preventing unwanted human-caused wildfires, visit https://utahfiresense.org.

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