Wildfire Recovery Resources for Outdoor Recreation Partners
Wildfires can have immediate and long-term impacts on trails, recreation facilities, public access and community projects. The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation is working with counties, local partners, land managers and destination organizations to better understand those impacts and help connect affected projects with available resources.
This page is intended primarily for current grant recipients, project partners and communities whose outdoor recreation projects or assets have been affected by wildfire. Our goal is to provide a clear starting point for reporting impacts, requesting assistance and understanding what options may be available through the Division’s grants, planning and trail crew programs.
Continue to rely on official fire, emergency management and land-management sources. The Division is not leading emergency response.
Is Your DOR-Funded Project Affected?
If you currently have a grant agreement with the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation and wildfire has affected your project site, timeline, scope, access or ability to complete the work, please connect with DOR grant staff for assistance.
Potential impacts may include:
- Damage to the project site or surrounding recreation infrastructure
- Temporary or extended closures
- Loss of access to the project area
- Hazard trees, erosion or post-fire flooding concerns
- Delays involving contractors, materials or required approvals
- A need to adjust the project timeline
- A proposed change to the project scope or location
Project changes are not automatically approved. Our team will review requests individually and help determine whether an amendment, extension, scope adjustment or other action may be appropriate. For new projects or adjusted scopes, a new budget will need to be submitted.
Trail Damage and Trail Crew Assistance
The Division may be able to help affected partners evaluate trail damage and identify potential trail crew needs for future restoration work.
Trail Damage and Trail Crew Assistance
Post-fire trail impacts may begin with immediate erosion, downed trees and access concerns, but maintenance and restoration needs can continue for several years. Land managers are already identifying potential trail crew needs for upcoming work seasons.
Utah’s Statewide Trail Crew may be able to assist with eligible projects such as:
- Initial trail-condition assessments
- Downed-tree and corridor-clearing work
- Drainage and erosion repairs
- Trail tread restoration
- Signage or access-related work
- Coordination with local stewardship organizations
All work must be authorized by the responsible land manager. Please do not enter closed areas or begin unauthorized trail work in a burn area.
Before Entering a Burned Recreation Area
A fire closure may expire before every post-fire hazard has been mitigated. Burned areas can remain dangerous even after active fire operations have ended.
Before visiting:
- Confirm that the area is officially open.
- Check current conditions with the responsible land manager.
- Watch for unstable or falling trees.
- Avoid burned drainages when storms are forecast.
- Be alert for erosion, debris flows and damaged trail surfaces.
- Do not cross barriers or enter signed closure areas.
- Do not perform volunteer work unless it has been authorized and coordinated.
- Expect services, signs, bridges or access roads to remain limited.
Tourism and Community Messaging
A wildfire may affect one trail, recreation site or portion of a county without closing the entire destination. The Division will work with local destination marketing organizations and the Utah Office of Tourism to amplify accurate, locally led messaging.
Current Access
Help visitors understand what is open, what remains closed and where they should avoid traveling.
Alternative Opportunities
Share nearby recreation opportunities that remain open and can safely accommodate visitors.
Community Support
Explain how visitors can safely support affected communities, businesses and tourism partners.
Contact Us
The Division has established a central point of contact for wildfire-related recreation questions and will direct requests to the appropriate grants, planning, trail or program staff.
Email: [email protected]
Primary contact: Emily Meadows
When contacting us, please include the county, project or recreation area involved and a brief description of the impact or assistance needed.
Additional Resources
Use these official sources for wildfire conditions, road information, closures, grants and outdoor recreation assistance.
- Utah Fire Information
- InciWeb
- Utah Department of Transportation Road Conditions
- U.S. Forest Service Closure Information
- BLM Utah Alerts and Closures
- Utah State Parks Alerts
- Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation Grants
- Utah Statewide Trail Crew
- Outdoor Recreation Initiative
- Community Recovery and Foundation Resources
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