Wildfires, Weather May Hamper Travel

A flash flood watch has been issued for southern Utah this afternoon and evening, for Washington, Iron, Beaver, Garfield and Kane counties. Here are watch details.

Numerous thunderstorms are expected and rain may be heavy in spots. The heavy rain could cause rapid water rises and flows in creeks and dry washes across the region. People traveling and recreating in these areas should use caution. Do not hike in wash bottoms or narrow canyons and don’t camp in wash bottoms.

Thunderstorm and flash flood danger may develop again tomorrow afternoon (7-19).

Wildfires recently closed I-15 near Cove Fort in central Utah and near Pintura in SW Utah. Those two fires are not contained but are no longer burning near the Interstate and so traffic is flowing normally at this time. However, both fires have the potential to threaten the Interstate again. If that happens the freeway may be closed again until the danger is past.

The Kolob Canyons district of Zion National Park is closed because of the fire.

Thunderstorms may help or hamper the effort to control the wildfires. Rain can beat back the flames, but wind may cause the fire to spread rapidly and erratically. Lightning associated with thunderstorms may ignite new fires.

This website has the latest info on Utah wildfires.