The lives of Uintah Basin residents have been affected by the extreme wildfire season and unfortunately, it isn’t over yet. State Forester Brian Cottam made a report last week and offered some sobering information. The Herald Journal reports that according to Cottam, on average each season, wildfire suppression in Utah burns around 125,000 acres and carries a price tag of $50 million dollars but this season in Utah 245,000 acres have burned and it has cost the state $100 million dollars and the season isn’t even over. Cottam said the costs are increasing about $1 million dollars every day and the season will continue through at least October. Cottam is also the director of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands and he emphasized that there needs to be a heavy focus on prevention, not just suppression.
