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Utah Sees Surge in Pest Complaints Amid Hot Summer Months

Utah Sees Surge in Pest Complaints Amid Hot Summer Months

Utah residents are experiencing an increase in pest activity this summer, with reports of ants, black widow spiders, and ticks on the rise. The hot weather has led to more sightings of these pests, particularly in areas like Orem City Center Park. Health officials have issued reminders about the potential diseases carried by ticks and advised residents to use insect repellent and avoid tall grass. Additionally, the return of western spotted orb weavers at Antelope Island State Park is noted, as these spiders help control insect populations. The increase in pest activity is attributed to the warmer temperatures, which typically lead to heightened insect and spider activity during the summer months.

Residents Demand Action Against Persistent Fires at Washington City Landfill

Residents Demand Action Against Persistent Fires at Washington City Landfill

Residents of Washington City, Utah, are calling for action against a private landfill where fires have been causing strong odors and health issues. The ONP Purgatory landfill has been the site of recurring fires, with the latest incident occurring about a year after a previous fire that required intervention from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ). The fires have resulted in smoke and fugitive dust, leading to respiratory irritations among nearby residents. A lawsuit has been filed seeking injunctive relief and civil penalties against the landfill operators for failing to control the fires.

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Harder To Repel: How The U.S. Accidentally Developed More Resistant Mosquitoes

Harder To Repel: How The U.S. Accidentally Developed More Resistant Mosquitoes

America's mosquito-control efforts had an itchy side effect. Here's how resistance developed and what homeowners can do to protect their yards.

Heat Wave Affects 42 Million in the U.S. with Record Temperatures

Heat Wave Affects 42 Million in the U.S. with Record Temperatures

A severe heat wave is impacting large parts of the United States, with over 42 million people under heat alerts. Temperatures have soared above 100°F in many areas, with a record high of 119°F recorded near Tecopa, California. The heat dome responsible for these extreme temperatures has shifted westward, affecting the Southwest and parts of the Intermountain West. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for several states, including Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah, where temperatures are expected to remain dangerously high through the weekend.

Utah Summers Show Increasing Heat Trends, Data Reveals

Utah Summers Show Increasing Heat Trends, Data Reveals

Recent data indicates that Utah's summers are becoming increasingly hotter, with Salt Lake City experiencing record-breaking temperatures. This summer, the city set a new highest daily maximum temperature of 109 degrees and matched its highest daily minimum temperature. The trend of rising temperatures has been observed since the start of the 21st century, with average summer temperatures significantly higher than in previous decades. The Great Salt Lake basin is projected to see further temperature increases over the next decade.

Utah Summers Show Rising Heat Trends, Records Broken in 2026

Utah Summers Show Rising Heat Trends, Records Broken in 2026

Utah is experiencing another wave of extreme heat this weekend, with triple-digit temperatures forecast across much of the state (KSL). Salt Lake City has already broken two temperature records this month, including a new all-time high of 109°F (42.8°C) on July 13 and a record-high minimum temperature of 82°F (27.8°C). Data from the National Weather Service and Utah Climate Center indicates that Utah's summers have been steadily warming over the past century, with the 2020s showing the highest average summer temperatures on record. Urban heat islands and early snowpack melt are contributing factors to this trend. The average summer high temperature in Salt Lake City between 2020 and 2025 was 92.5°F (33.6°C), a 7.2°F (4°C) increase from the 1920s.

Heat Dome Shifts West, Scorching Southwest into August

Heat Dome Shifts West, Scorching Southwest into August

A powerful heat dome has shifted west, bringing dangerous triple-digit temperatures to the Desert Southwest through the first weekend of August. Cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas and Death Valley could see highs between 110°F and 120°F, while parts of Utah and Montana also face extreme heat. Heat alerts remain in effect through Sunday, with wildfire smoke worsening air quality. Forecasters say above-average temperatures are likely to persist into the first half of August, delaying any meaningful relief.

Evacuation Orders Issued in Millard County as Widemouth 2 Fire Spreads

Evacuation Orders Issued in Millard County as Widemouth 2 Fire Spreads

The Widemouth 2 Fire in Millard County, Utah, has prompted evacuation orders as it rapidly spreads across approximately 5,000 acres with zero percent containment. The fire, believed to have been ignited by lightning during a recent thunderstorm, is burning south of Kanosh on Fishlake National Forest lands. The Millard County Sheriff's Office has issued a 'GO' evacuation order for residents in the area of Turkey Track Lane and Cemetery Road, while other areas remain on high alert. An evacuation center has been established at a local church in Fillmore to assist displaced residents. Firefighters are battling the blaze amid challenging conditions, including gusty winds that are exacerbating the fire's spread.

FTC and States Sue Hims Hers Over Alleged Privacy Violations

FTC and States Sue Hims Hers Over Alleged Privacy Violations

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), along with the states of Utah and California, has filed a lawsuit against Hims & Hers, a telehealth provider, for allegedly sharing consumers' sensitive health information with third-party advertising platforms without consent. The complaint also accuses the company of misleading consumers about its billing and cancellation practices, locking them into recurring subscriptions without clear disclosure. The FTC claims that Hims & Hers charged consumers for prescriptions immediately after they submitted an intake form, contrary to the company's assurances of a consultation with a medical provider. The lawsuit highlights the company's alleged failure to protect consumer privacy and its deceptive business practices.

Funeral Held for Provo Fire Captain and Family After Tragic Flash Flood

Funeral Held for Provo Fire Captain and Family After Tragic Flash Flood

A public memorial service was held at Utah Valley University in Orem for Provo Fire Captain Spencer Long, his wife Katrina, and their three sons, Reid, Thayne, and Gage, who tragically died in a flash flood. The family was camping and canyoneering in southern Utah when the flood occurred. The service was attended by over 300 people, including family, friends, and community members, who gathered to honor the lives of the Long family. The tragic event has deeply affected the local community, with many expressing their grief and support for the surviving family members.

Wildfires Escalate Across U.S. Pacific Northwest Amid Extreme Conditions

Wildfires Escalate Across U.S. Pacific Northwest Amid Extreme Conditions

Wildfires are ravaging large areas of the U.S. Pacific Northwest, with over 1.8 million acres burned in Oregon and Washington and 235,000 acres in Utah and Colorado as of late July 2026. Experts warn that conditions are primed for further fire activity due to historically dry landscapes, a lack of precipitation, and an incoming heatwave. The Energy Release Component (ERC), a measure of flammability, is expected to exceed the 95th percentile in nine of the 12 zones in the Pacific Northwest, with southeastern Oregon potentially reaching unprecedented levels. Winds of up to 50 km/h (31 mph) and the possibility of dry lightning further exacerbate the risk. These conditions follow a winter with record-low snowpack levels in eight states and a warm, dry spring, creating a tinderbox environment across the region.

Lightning Strikes Truck, Ignites Fire on I-15 Near Cedar City

Lightning Strikes Truck, Ignites Fire on I-15 Near Cedar City

A truck traveling on northbound I-15 near Cedar City, Utah, was struck by lightning, causing it to catch fire. The incident occurred near mile marker 50, according to Utah Highway Patrol spokesperson Lt. Zach Randall. Fortunately, no other vehicles were involved in the incident, and no injuries were reported. The lightning strike led to a temporary disruption in traffic as emergency responders worked to manage the situation. The exact time of the event was not specified in the source, but it highlights the dangers of severe weather conditions in the area.