With record-low snow this winter, Utah trees and grasses are drying out early. That could set up the state’s forests and communities for a long, dangerous wildfire year.

The announcement won praise from Western Republican lawmakers while drawing criticism from environmental groups that see the move as an attempt to dismantle the agency. Federal officials say the change puts leaders closer to the forests they manage.

The March heat wave decimated Utah’s already-poor snowpack. That’s bad news for a region that depends on snow for its water supply.

Tree rings offer scientists a history book that lays out centuries of forest health. This warm, dry year is poised to leave a lasting mark.

Last year, Utah was the first state to pass a law allowing small-scale plug-in solar at home. Now, similar bills have popped up in more than 25 other states.

“Basically, the entire U.S. is going to be hot,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Gregg Gallina on Monday — and the heat isn't going away for a while.

Record-warm temperatures have made March feel more like summer. But it may not be tomato time yet.

Estevan López, New Mexico's water negotiator, said talks resumed in March, and the upper and lower basin states are using a short-term proposal from Nevada as the starting point.

National Weather Service meteorologist Hayden Mahan said if Salt Lake City hits at least 81 degrees this weekend, “that would be the warmest March temperature ever recorded. The previous record being just 80 degrees.”

Colorado's capital city has managed two conservation herds of bison in its mountain parks since 1914. Six years ago, it started donating them to tribes rather than auctioning extras off to ranchers.

Search and rescue crew leaders from national parks across the West converged at Zion this week to share tips and tricks for how to keep people safe.

Weber State scientists have an eye on the correlation between weather and the timing of flowers blooming. Short answer: heat speeds things up.