March 20th is the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. This means the spring run off and with the snowpack this year and the fires last year, officials are asking residents to be aware of land slide and flood risks. Fires last summer left burn scars on mountainsides all over the state. Combining snow melt, spring rains, steep hillsides and fire damage can make for dangerous conditions to property and personal safety.
Utah Division of emergency Management Spokesperson, Joe Dougherty says there are areas in Wasatch County that could be at risk for debris flows.
“If you live below a burn scar, which we have seen in Wasatch and Duchesne Counties, that snow melt combined with rain can start to bring down hillsides that had previously been burned. So, that’s one of those things that people who live below those areas should really be vigilant and pay attention to the weather this time of year. And, for the next three to five years, they need to pay close attention to the weather.”