Sagebrush, Wildfire, and Homeowners Associations: Climate Adaptation Opportunities in Summit County, Utah

Authors

Rebecca Ivans
Kendall Becker, Utah State UniversityFollow
Wesley Crump, Utah State UniversityFollow
J. Bradley Washa, Utah State University
Lewis Kogan, Utah State University
Scott Hotaling, Utah State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Factsheet

Publisher

Utah State University Extension

Publication Date

9-8-2025

First Page

1

Last Page

8

Abstract

Environmental changes and rapidly expanding suburban developments are amplifying wildfire risk in Utah, including in mixed-sagebrush habitats like those in Morgan, Summit, and Wasatch counties along the Wasatch Back. Wildfire risk to people and structures is especially high in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), where homes and buildings intermingle with undeveloped wildlands and natural vegetation that can fuel wildfire. Much of this urban expansion is occurring in the form of large, dispersed developments managed by homeowners associations (HOAs), which often dictate standards for the homes and properties within their purview. Thus, HOAs can play a critical role in supporting wildfire mitigation efforts in the WUI.

Recommended Citation

Ivans, R., Becker, K., Crump, W., Washa, J. B., Kogan, L., & Hotaling, S. (2025). Sagebrush, wildfire, and homeowners associations: Climate adaptation opportunities in Summit County, Utah [Fact sheet]. Utah State University Extension.