07/08/2026
Our hearts are with the people of Blanding, Monticello and every Utah community affected by the devastating wildfires burning across our state.
These fires are a sobering reminder that Utah’s forests are facing unprecedented challenges. Years of historic drought, changing conditions, and the accumulation of hazardous fuels have created landscapes that are increasingly vulnerable to catastrophic wildfire. While our firefighters, emergency personnel, and local communities continue to demonstrate incredible courage, we also have a responsibility to ask whether our current approach to forest management is adequately meeting the realities we face today.
I believe we must continue working with our federal, state, and local partners to pursue more active, science based forest management that reduces fuel loads, improves forest health, and better protects our rural communities, watersheds, wildlife, and public lands. We cannot afford to accept catastrophic wildfire as the new normal.
Most importantly, I ask everyone to join me in praying for the people of Monticello and Blanding, for every family that has been impacted, for the brave men and women on the fire lines, and for all of Utah. May God grant protection to those in harm’s way, strength to those fighting these fires, comfort to those who have suffered loss, and wisdom to those entrusted with caring for our forests for generations to come.
