Great Salt Lake Causeway Berm Raised 4 Feet to Protect Salinity Levels

SALT LAKE CITY – Due to the increasing salinity issues related to the shrinking Great Salt Lake, the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, along with the Division of Water Resources, modified the breach in the Union Pacific railroad causeway that divides the lake. The breach is a 180-foot section of the causeway that was removed to connect the …

Motorized Vehicle Use on Lake Beds Can Lead to Citations

SALT LAKE CITY – Due to the decreasing water levels at Great Salt Lake, there has been increased attention surrounding the lake, leading to increased visitors. With an uptick in visitors to the lake, state land managers want to remind the public of the rules surrounding the use of state sovereign lands.  Over the last few weeks, law enforcement officers …

That’s a Good Catch: When Preparedness Pays Off

IRON COUNTY, Utah – Lately, when discussing preventing wildfires, the topic of preparedness takes the main stage. We say being prepared is critical when going camping or maintaining your vehicle to avoid any issues that could arise. What happens when you do everything right but still find yourself in a situation where a fire occurs?  On June 4, 2022, a …

Utah Shared Stewardship partners announce FY23 projects

Ogden, Utah – June 10, 2022 – The State of Utah, USDA Forest Service Intermountain Region, and Natural Resources Conservation Service announces funding for ten wildfire risk reduction projects across all five National Forests in Utah for fiscal year 2023.  This year’s list of funded projects is scheduled to improve more than 24,000 acres of forested lands in Utah that …

Utah’s Fire Program Contracts Two Type 1 Helicopters for Wildfire Suppression

Salt Lake City – The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands has contracted with Croman Corporation, adding two Type 1 helicopters to the state’s wildfire suppression resources.   This is the first time Utah has had an exclusive use contract for type 1 helicopters.   “This is a greatly needed addition to our firefighting toolbox here in Utah. Along with …

Audubon and The Nature Conservancy to Lead Great Salt Lake Water Trust

Salt Lake City (June 16, 2022)— Today, the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (FFSL) announced the National Audubon Society (Audubon) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) as the recipients of the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Program grant funds. These organizations, with dedicated staff and conservation expertise in Utah, will utilize the $40 million appropriated during the 2022 …

Local Agencies Receive Hands-on Training at No. Utah Wildland Engine Workshop

RICH COUNTY, Utah (June 6, 2022) – The Bear River Area of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands hosted a wildland engine workshop over two days at Bear Lake State Park.  Twenty-one engines and over 100 personnel came from eight counties to participate in the workshop. “Interagency work is the core of wildland firefighting. These local resources …

Southeast Area and Interagency Partners Honored with Pulaski Award

PRICE, Utah (May 31, 2022) – The Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands Southeast Area, their interagency partners and the Bureau of Land Management Green River District were selected as the winner of the 2022 Pulaski Award by the National Interagency Fire Center. The interagency partners were honored with the award for their work on the Bear and Bennion …

Utah Lake Phragmites Control Story Map

Check out our Utah Lake Phragmites Control story map! It displays an overview of the successful collaborative efforts to remove invasive Phragmites from the shoreline. Our division has been dedicated to this effort since 2014. Phragmites cover on Utah Lake has been reduced by approximately 70%. The story map includes the slider shown below which displays the visible reduction from …

Beaver Dam Analog Installation

Sovereign Lands staff are installing Beaver Dam Analogs to mimic natural beaver dams in Corner Canyon Creek, just upstream of its confluence with the Jordan River in the Galena Soo’nkahni Preserve. When complete, these structures are designed to re-establish floodplain hydrology which will restore wetlands, support native riparian vegetation which improves wildlife habitat, improve water quality, reduce downstream sedimentation and …