With very dry fuels, a very dry air mass, and an increasing southwesterly flow as a low pressure system remained near the Pacific Coast, conditions across Utah became perfect for explosive fire growth. The winds were severe at times across northwest Utah, and any fires that started spread very quickly. Several of these wildfires caused property damage or injuries, and one caused a fatality. Note that some of these fires continued into July.

High Wind in GREAT SALT LAKE DESERT AND MOUNTAINS, UTAH
From 23-JUN-12 12:55:00 to 25-JUN-12 14:00:00 (MST-7)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Prolonged windy conditions existed across the Great Salt Lake Desert and Mountains, as a low near the west coast kept the area in persistent southwesterly flow. Peak wind gusts included 60 mph at Durand Road, 59 mph at Upper Cedar Mountain, and 58 mph at the Ditto sensor.

Wildfire in SALT LAKE AND TOOELE VALLEYS, UTAH
From 23-JUN-12 14:10:00 to 23-JUN-12 17:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 400.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A tree fell onto a power line in West Jordan, Utah, igniting a field. This fire quickly spread into nearby homes, burning two houses. In addition, a third home suffered significant smoke damage, and the fire damaged a fence and a gazebo. One firefighter suffered heat exhaustion while battling the blaze, which was put out later that day.

Wildfire in SALT LAKE AND TOOELE VALLEYS, UTAH
From 23-JUN-12 11:20:00 to 23-JUN-12 11:45:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A fire started in a field in Draper, Utah, damaging one home and threatening two others. The fire burned through 150 feet of wooden fencing, and caused light damage to a garage and a vehicle at one of the homes, before being contained 25 minutes later.

Wildfire in UTAHS DIXIE AND ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH
From 23-JUN-12 15:30:00 to 25-JUN-12 11:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

The Quail Fire began near Leeds, Utah on June 23rd, and was ignited by people burning debris. The fire threatened some residences in the area, with approximately 60 homes being evacuated, and also threatened a desert tortoise habitat. Two sheds were destroyed in the fire, local power infrastructure was damaged, and one firefighter suffered a heat-related injury. The fire burned 1,708 acres before being 100% contained on June 25th, and fire suppression cost a total of $250,000. This fire is not to be confused with another Quail Fire that began in July near Alpine, Utah.

Wildfire in WASATCH PLATEAU/BOOK CLIFFS, UTAH
From 23-JUN-12 15:56:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

The Seeley Fire began on June 23rd in the Manti-La Sal National Forest, and was caused by lightning. This fire burned for nearly a month, consuming 48,050 acres before it was 100% contained on July 18th. The fire closed several campgrounds and youth camps, shut down a major oil and gas field, shut down several working coal mines, and caused the evacuation of approximately 250 residences. Two non-residential buildings were damaged in the fire. In addition to the property damages, fire suppression efforts on the fire cost a total of $8.7 million. Note that this event continued into July, and monetary property damages will be listed on the July report.

Wildfire in WASATCH PLATEAU/BOOK CLIFFS, UTAH
From 24-JUN-12 17:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

The Church Camp Fire began on June 24th, approximately 22 miles south of Duchesne, Utah. The cause of the fire is unknown, but it was believed to be human-caused. The fire caused the evacuation of Argyle Canyon, a popular summer cabin and recreation area. A total of 7,211 acres were burned before the fire was 100% contained on July 7th. Three injuries to firefighters were reported, with one back injury and two heat-related injuries. The fire destroyed 15 cabins and 78 other non-residential buildings. In addition to the property damage, fire suppression costs totaled $12.2 million. Note that this event continued into July, and monetary property damage totals will be listed on the July report.

Wildfire in SOUTHERN WASATCH FRONT, UTAH
From 21-JUN-12 10:30:00 to 25-JUN-12 12:00:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

The Dump Fire began on June 21st on the west side of Utah Lake, and was caused by target shooters using explosive targets. This fire threatened the communities of Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain, leading to the evacuation of nearly 600 homes and 2,500 people beginning on June 22nd. Fire suppression was able to keep the fire from reaching the communities, and the evacuations were lifted by the end of June 23rd. The fire was 100% contained on June 25th, after it had burned a total of 5,507 acres. Two firefighters were injured; one received a first degree burn, and the other became dehydrated and required transport to a local hospital. The only reported property damage was power line infrastructure damaged in the fire. In addition to this damage, fire suppression costs totaled $2.1 million.

Wildfire in WASATCH MOUNTAINS SOUTH OF I-80, UTAH
From 23-JUN-12 15:47:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (MST-7)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

The Wood Hollow Fire began on June 23rd near Fountain Green, Utah in Sanpete County. The fire was ignited when gusty winds caused a power line to come too close to the top of another power pole, sparking a grass fire at its base. The electrical ground wires had been removed by copper thieves, which eliminated the system's ability to properly dissipate the electrical current. This fire caused one fatality, a 60-year-old male whose body was found inside a burned car. Two firefighters also sustained minor injuries.
In total, the Wood Hollow Fire burned 47,387 acres, and caused extensive property damage. The communities of Indian Ridge, Elk Ridge, Big Hollow, and Oaker Hills all experienced mandatory evacuations.  52 residential buildings were destroyed, 108 other non-residential buildings were destroyed, and there was damage to local power infrastructure and the Indian Ridge water system. Some livestock was lost, with approximately 300 sheep killed and approximately 15 horses killed. In addition to these losses, fire suppression costs totaled $5.8 million. Note that this fire continued into July, and the monetary property damages will be listed in July's report.