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Wildfire danger on the rise with 13.2 percent of Utah homes at risk

Posted at 5:49 PM, Jun 17, 2015
and last updated 2015-06-17 19:49:12-04

SALT LAKE CITY -- According to information from the insurance risk firm Verisk, 128,800 homes in Utah are at high or extreme risk from wildfires, which is about 13.2 percent of the homes in the Beehive State

"We're in a very dangerous situation in terms of wildland urban interface," said Jason Curry, spokesperson for the State Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.

Ninety-degree temperatures in northern Utah will soon make tinder out of all the tall, green grasses in the foothills.

Curry said that's why the state is stepping in and offering Utah communities a deal.

"If communities like cities, towns, and counties can do the work that's proactive and put the resources and effort into that, then the state of Utah can relieve them from the stress and headache of a large fire bill," Curry said.

For suggestions on how to create a defensible space at your house, and how to support fire prevention in your community, click here.