File:Fires in southwest Utah (MODIS 2018-07-01).jpg

English: Dry weather, low humidity, and strong wind combined to make the fire season in the southwestern United States off to an early and fierce start. On June 28, 2018, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard NASA’s Terra satellite acquired a true-color image of heavy smoke and fire in Utah.

The two major fires responsible for the thick gray smoke include the West Valley Mountain fire and, to the north and obscured by the smoke, the Black Mountain fire.

The West Valley Mountain fire located on Pine Valley Mountain and three miles northeast of Pine Mountain Campground on the Dixie National Forest ignited on June 27, 2018, and continued to actively burn throughout the day, aided by critical fire weather conditions. By June 30 the blaze, ignited by an abandoned campfire, had consumed 7,724 acres. The fire remains at zero percent contained, although it is growing slowly due to reaching an area of minimal fuel. A news release from Utah Fire stated that about 10 homes of private land near the Mill Flat Trailhead are threatened. Officials warn that it is critical to use air support in fighting this fire and asks the public to respect the need for open airspace. Drones can hinder response or even bring down an aircraft and are not permitted over fires.

The Black Mountain fire which is located just two miles south of Minersville. This fire began on Thursday, June 28, with a vehicle crash. A vehicle drifted out of its lane and overcorrected, causing it to roll over several times before landing in dry brush. Although the driver sustained only minor injuries, a spark from the crash ignited the fire. A passerby called 911 to report the accident and the fire. Citizens attempted to douse the flames, but aggressive winds allowed it to escape and spread. As of June 29, Utah Fire reports that this blaze has burned 5,988 acres and has reached 30 percent containment.