Smoky Skies Are a Reminder: Is Your Home Wildfire Ready?
Like many Utah families, I was looking forward to spending some time outdoors recently. I headed down to Moab to visit Arches National Park and planned to do some hiking. Unfortunately, the smoke was so thick that I ended up canceling my hiking plans altogether.
The experience was disappointing, but it also served as a powerful reminder of how wildfire season affects all of us—even when the fires are miles away.
Over the past few weeks, multiple wildfires have been burning throughout Utah, and smoke has drifted across much of the state, including the Salt Lake Valley. Whether you live near the mountains, open space, or in a suburban neighborhood, wildfire preparedness should be on every homeowner's checklist.
Why Wildfire Preparation Matters
Many homeowners think wildfire risk only applies to rural or mountain communities. The reality is that flying embers can travel long distances and ignite homes far from the actual fire.
The good news? There are simple steps you can take now to reduce your risk and protect your property.
6 Ways to Protect Your Home and Family
1. Create Defensible Space
Remove dry grass, weeds, leaves, and dead vegetation around your home. Keep trees and shrubs trimmed and well-maintained.
2. Clean Your Roof and Gutters
Leaves and pine needles can easily catch fire from airborne embers. Regular cleaning can significantly reduce your home's vulnerability.
3. Move Combustible Materials Away from the House
Store firewood, propane tanks, and other flammable materials away from your home's exterior.
4. Prepare an Emergency Go Bag
Keep important documents, medications, chargers, water, pet supplies, and other essentials ready in case you need to leave quickly.
5. Review Your Insurance Coverage
Take time to document your belongings with photos or video and verify that your homeowner's insurance coverage is up to date.
6. Have an Evacuation Plan
Know at least two ways out of your neighborhood and make sure everyone in your household understands the plan.
Don't Wait Until the Smoke Gets Worse
Seeing smoky skies over Utah can be frustrating, especially when it impacts outdoor plans and air quality. But it can also serve as a valuable reminder to prepare before an emergency happens.
A few hours spent cleaning up your property and reviewing your emergency plans today could make a significant difference tomorrow.
As your local Realtor and neighbor, I care about helping families protect one of their biggest investments—their home. If you have questions about your property, your neighborhood, or homeownership in Utah, I'm always happy to help.
Stay safe, enjoy the summer, and hopefully we'll all get back to clearer skies soon. Also, hopefully the firefighters can get a control of the massive Cottonwood Fire.
Nancy Bergman
Salt Lake Home Pros - Fathom Realty
Your Friend & Realtor