Long after wildfires are put out, impacts are felt in the environment. Debris flows, charred landscapes, threatened watersheds and, of course, longstanding impacts on wildlife are some of the issues in the aftermath of fires.

The Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative works to clean up after fires. In 2024 and 2025, it restored nearly 150,000 acres, improving high priority watersheds.

Created in 2006, this Utah Department of Natural Resources partnership-based program focuses on:

Improving watershed health and biological diversity

Increasing water quality and yield

Improving opportunities for sustainable uses of natural resources, including restoring fish and wildlife habitats

“These proactive projects to improve wildlife habitat and watershed health throughout the state are crucial

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