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County fire warden warns of red‑flag conditions, outlines House Bill 48 implications
Summary
Corey Auger briefed commissioners on recent small local fires, statewide red-flag conditions and resources, and explained that House Bill 48 will require counties to assess fees to homeowners in high-risk wildland-urban interface areas starting in 2026; Auger recommended a work group to prepare for implementation.
Corey Auger, county fire warden with Forestry, Fire and State Lands, told the Daggett County Commission on July 15 that the region is entering a period of heightened wildfire risk and outlined state and local steps.
Auger described two recent local incidents: a human-caused, unattended campfire near Park Trail/Lake Veil that produced smoke but minimal acreage, and a roughly 2‑acre Marshall Draw fire started when a UTV caught fire on private land and burned slightly onto adjacent BLM land. Auger said confusion between dispatch jurisdictions delayed some responses initially but that BLM and local fire districts handled the incidents.
"We've got a lot of red flag warnings, a lot of severe weather and winds ... some possibly dry lightning," Auger said, and noted that aviation and out‑of‑state task‑force resources have been staged in the region to help if needed.
Auger also briefed the commission on House Bill 48, passed in March. "It makes so the county has to assess a fee to homeowners who live in the wildland urban interface in high risk areas," he said, adding that the assessments will appear on property tax bills starting in 2026 and that lot assessments will produce a score that determines the fee amount. Auger recommended forming a work group to review mapping, assessment responsibilities and fee calculations so the county can prepare to implement the law.
Auger explained some responsibilities remain with the county under the new cooperative wildfire system arrangements, including the fire warden agreement, though the county can delegate many operational duties to the local fire district. He said the new agreements and billing procedures are still being finalized and that the county will likely sign required fire warden agreements.
Commissioners requested follow-up briefings; Auger offered to provide monthly updates to keep the commission informed during the high-risk period.
