Sandy residents face a dangerous combination of extreme heat and wildfire smoke heading into the weekend, with temperatures forecast to hit 104°F on Friday and Saturday and air quality already degraded across the Wasatch Front.
The second heat wave in less than a week arrives as thousands prepare to attend Sandy's 19th Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival at Storm Mountain Park on Aug. 7 and 8.
Heat building Thursday through Saturday
A ridge of high pressure will strengthen over Utah beginning Thursday, Aug. 6, pushing temperatures back into triple digits across the Salt Lake Valley, ABC4 Utah reported. Salt Lake City's forecast high is 104°F for both Friday, Aug. 7, and Saturday, Aug. 8. Overnight lows are expected to drop only into the 70s and 80s, offering little relief.
The National Weather Service Salt Lake City office warned Wednesday, Aug. 5, that highs would reach up to 10°F above seasonal normals and urged residents to check on vulnerable loved ones. Heat alerts are expected to be issued for the Wasatch Front, though none had been formally announced as of Wednesday evening.
The NWS heat risk for most valley areas, including Sandy, is forecast to reach "major" and "extreme" categories for Friday and Saturday.
Wildfire smoke compounds the danger
Smoke from the Widemouth 2 Fire south of Kanosh in Millard County, which had burned more than 68,000 acres by Monday, Aug. 3, is blanketing the Wasatch Front alongside smoke drifting in from fires in Nevada and the Pacific Northwest. Air quality across the Wasatch Front sat in the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" category Wednesday, according to ABC4 Utah.
The National Weather Service and state health officials advise children, older adults and people with heart or lung conditions to limit outdoor time and avoid strenuous activity while smoke persists, KUTV reported. Conditions can shift quickly as winds change.
Utah has recorded 747 wildfires burning 455,741 acres so far this year, according to TownLift. Gov. Spencer Cox called conditions "extremely dangerous" on Monday, Aug. 3, urging residents to avoid activities that could spark a fire.
Sandy firefighters already stretched thin
Sandy Fire Chief Ryan McConaghie told Utah News Dispatch on Wednesday, Aug. 5, in a report on the toll of residential fires this summer, that the combination of extreme heat, dry conditions and structure fires has taxed his department.
"Collectively, it's been a very, very busy season," McConaghie said.
Firefighters are being cycled through "rehab" periods to prevent heat exhaustion. A Unified Fire Authority firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion last week after battling an apartment fire in Midvale that displaced more than 200 residents. Officials have attributed some recent residential fires to overworked air conditioning units stressed by the heat.
Balloon festival and outdoor events proceed
Sandy's Hot Air Balloon Festival runs Friday and Friday, Aug. 7–8, with sunrise launches at 7 a.m. at Storm Mountain Park (980 E. 11400 S.), weather permitting. The Saturday evening Balloon Glow at the Sandy Promenade (10000 Centennial Parkway) runs 8–10:30 p.m. with a drone show, live DJ and food trucks.
No drones or pets are allowed at either event. Attendees should plan for extreme heat during morning launches and monitor air quality before heading out.
How to stay safe
Salt Lake County opened Dimple Dell Recreation Center (10670 S. 1000 East, Sandy) as a Cool Zone during the Aug. 1–2 heat event. County spokesperson Eric Biggart urged residents to check on neighbors, older adults, young children and anyone who works outdoors, according to KSL. A full list of cool zone locations is available at SLCo.to/zones.
Some relief is expected by Sunday, Aug. 9, when monsoonal moisture returns with chances for showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures are forecast to dip back toward the 90s early next week.
