It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic SAL RR Monroe Depot gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Monroe, UT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Lea, Brent and the staff are great. Because I live in a different city, the”
“My experience with Always Best Care was hands down amazing! Their staff is super attentive”
“I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the exceptional care Siale provided for”
“Lea, Brent and the staff are great. Because I live in a different city, the staff takes care of my father’s needs where he lives. Maria is wonderful with my dad. I’ve not personally met the staff, except Maria, but I’m very grateful for all they do for my dad and me. Appreciate them.”
“My experience with Always Best Care was hands down amazing! Their staff is super attentive and kind. I always felt like I was their first priority and that they really cared about me. 10/10 would recommend!!”
“I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the exceptional care Siale provided for my dad. He was committed to delivering the highest quality of care and truly valued my dad as a patient. Siale, he goes over and beyond to make a positive impact on the lives of his patients.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Lions Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local 350 Main Brasserie or visit Monroe Historical Society, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Monroe, UT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Monroe, UT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Monroe, UT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
LAKE CHARLES, La. – ULM volleyball dropped the first of three matches in the Cowgirl Classic this weekend with a 3-1 loss to UT Arlington on Thursday afternoon.The first set started hot for the Mavericks (4-0) as they raced out to a 7-2 lead. The Warhawks (2-2) scored three unanswered to close the gap to two before a 6-2 by UTA put the set out of reach. Trailing 14-9, ULM created a massive push with eight unanswered points, helped by two kills from freshman Aniya Hall and three consecutive aces from setter Morg...
LAKE CHARLES, La. – ULM volleyball dropped the first of three matches in the Cowgirl Classic this weekend with a 3-1 loss to UT Arlington on Thursday afternoon.
The first set started hot for the Mavericks (4-0) as they raced out to a 7-2 lead. The Warhawks (2-2) scored three unanswered to close the gap to two before a 6-2 by UTA put the set out of reach. Trailing 14-9, ULM created a massive push with eight unanswered points, helped by two kills from freshman Aniya Hall and three consecutive aces from setter Morgan Howard.
UT Arlington quickly caught back up, using a 5-1 run to take the lead. With the set at 20-20, three straight points by the Mavericks set the tone late as they ran away with the set 25-21.
Set two was one to forget for ULM. It quickly fell behind 11-3 early in the set before scoring six of the next eight to shorten the gap to four. UTA used a 7-2 run to pull ahead 20-11, and after both teams traded points, scored the remaining four points to build a 2-0 match lead.
In the third set, it was the Warhawks starting hot, scoring the first five points with two aces from Howard and kills from Hall and freshman Kennedy Plummer. With an 8-3 score, UT Arlington produced a 5-0 run of its own to tie the set.
After both teams went back and forth, ULM constructed a 6-1 scoring run to pull ahead by five. The Mavericks responded by scoring eight of the next 11 points to tie the set 20-20. With the lead at set point, Hall drove in her fourth set-ending kill of the season and kept ULM alive in the match.
The Warhawks were steady at the start of the fourth, building a solid 12-8 lead. UTA worked a 4-0 run to tie the set before three straight from ULM widened the gap again. One 9-1 Maverick run later, and the set was out of reach, as they secured the set and the match.
Hall once again led the way in kills with 13, as Kenzie Behl and Chavon Weaver totaled five and four blocks, respectively. Howard tallied 20 assists and a career-high seven aces. Camryn Kimes led defensively with 16 digs.
The Warhawks look to bounce back tomorrow with a 1 p.m. match vs. Alcorn State.
LAKE CHARLES, LA --The UT Arlington volleyball team took care of business in four sets (25-21, 25-13, 23-25, 25-21) to beat the UL Monroe Warhawks Thursday at Legacy Center.The out-of-conference win moved the Mavericks' overall record to 4-0 on the season.The Mavericks offense was paced by Camryn McMinn, who finished with 15 kills on the day while accumulating a hitting percentage of .265. Jalie Tritt added 12 and Sophie Ocampo chipped in with 12 as part of balanced UT Arlington attack. got 12 digs from Alondra Hernandez...
LAKE CHARLES, LA --The UT Arlington volleyball team took care of business in four sets (25-21, 25-13, 23-25, 25-21) to beat the UL Monroe Warhawks Thursday at Legacy Center.
The out-of-conference win moved the Mavericks' overall record to 4-0 on the season.
The Mavericks offense was paced by Camryn McMinn, who finished with 15 kills on the day while accumulating a hitting percentage of .265. Jalie Tritt added 12 and Sophie Ocampo chipped in with 12 as part of balanced UT Arlington attack. got 12 digs from Alondra Hernandez along with six blocks from Sophia Krichev to lead them defensively.
Game Notes
» UT Arlington had three players in double figures in kills. » Alondra Hernandez had a team-high three aces in the win. » UT Arlington never trailed on the way to winning the second set 25-13. » Camryn McMinn had a match-high 15 kills for UT Arlington. » UT Arlington got a team-high 12 digs from Alondra Hernandez. » UT Arlington attackers were helped by a match-high 33 assists from Mira Ledermueller.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Mavericks took set one 25-21 powered by a strong showing on the attacking side. UT Arlington put together a .400 attack percentage with 17 kills in the set victory. The Mavericks opened up a 13-7 lead in the stanza and coasted to victory from there.
SET 2 | UT Arlington continued to roll after a set-one win by securing a 25-13 victory in set two. The Mavericks took a 1-0 lead and never looked back in the set to secure the victory. UT Arlington opened its biggest lead of the stanza, 12 points, to close out the set. The Mavericks hit .333 over the course of the set. The UT Arlington offense also got a boost from three aces in the stanza.
SET 3 | UL Monroe stayed alive with a set-three victory to make it a 2-1 match. The Mavericks fell behind on the first point and never took the lead before falling in the set 25-23.
SET 4 | UT Arlington then responded to claim the match win with a 25-21 fourth-set victory. The Mavericks took the lead for good at 16-15 in a set that had just one lead change before the Mavericks took over in the second half of the stanza. The Mavericks win came in a stanza where 17 of their 25 points came via the kill.
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LAKE CHARLES—McNeese volleyball will host its own Cowgirl Classic this weekend beginning Thursday, Sept. 4. Alcorn, UL-Monroe and UT-Arlington will join the Cowgirls to make up the tournament field.Thursday and Friday matches are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. while Saturday matches are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. All McNeese tournament matches will stream on ESPN+.McNeese is coming off an opening weekend where they won the Sam Houston Invitational with a 2-1 record following wins over Tulane and Southern Illino...
LAKE CHARLES—McNeese volleyball will host its own Cowgirl Classic this weekend beginning Thursday, Sept. 4. Alcorn, UL-Monroe and UT-Arlington will join the Cowgirls to make up the tournament field.
Thursday and Friday matches are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. while Saturday matches are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. All McNeese tournament matches will stream on ESPN+.
McNeese is coming off an opening weekend where they won the Sam Houston Invitational with a 2-1 record following wins over Tulane and Southern Illinois. The 2-1 record is the best opening weekend start since the 2021 team started 2-1.
Admission is free for all tournament matches as well as all home matches for the 2025 season.
MATCH INFO: vs. Alcorn
MATCH INFO: vs. UT-Arlington
MATCH INFO: vs. UL-Monroe
McNeese Cowgirl Classic Schedule Thu. 4 UL-Monroe vs. UT-Arlington 1 p.m. McNeese vs. Alcorn (ESPN+) 6 p.m.
Fri. 5 Alcorn vs. UL-Monroe 1 p.m. McNeese vs. UT-Arlington (ESPN+) 6 p.m.
Sat. 6 UT-Arlington vs. Alcorn 10:30 a.m. McNeese vs. UL-Monroe (ESPN+) 1 p.m.
McNEESE NOTES • Coming off a tournament title at the Sam Houston Invitational last weekend with a 2-1 record, it was the Cowgirls best opening weekend start since 2021 when that team also posted a 2-1 record following the opening weekend.
• McNeese opened the season with a 3-2 win over Tulane, fell 3-0 to Sam Houston before ending tournament play with a 3-2 win over Southern Illinois.
• Freshman Ava Henry was named tournament MVP while senior D'Nari Mills was named to the all-tournament team.
• Five freshmen made their collegiate debut at the Sam Houston Invitational last weekend.
• McNeese will face Alcorn at 6 p.m. Thursday in its own Cowgirl Classic, UT-Arlington at 6 p.m. Friday, and UL-Monroe at 1 p.m. Saturday.
• D'Nari Mills leads the team with 46 kills; freshman Kinga Ziolkowska leads the team in assists (95) and service aces (6); freshman Neal Grace Berry leads the team digs (39), and senior Jordan Gamble leads the team with 13 blocks.
• The Cowgirls will also take part in two more regular season tournaments: at Florida A&M (Sept. 11-12), and at Houston (Sept. 19-20).
• Head coach Sasha Karelov is in her fourth season with the Cowgirls.
•- McNeese posted a 10-18 overall record in 2024 and finished ninth in the Southland Conference with a 6-10 overall record
• McNeese returns three players from last season (seniors Kayla Wilson and Lauren Fuller and sophomore Corynne Hausler).
• The 2025 roster consists of 15 newcomers including eight freshmen.
• Freshmen Ava Henry and Bailey Foolkes are second generation Cowgirls. Ava's mother Eunice played basketball and her father, Adam, who serves as the Buffalo Bills wide receivers coach, played football at McNeese. Foolkes' mother, Shannon played volleyball while her father, Trevor ran cross country for McNeese. Adam and Shannon are McNeese Hall of Famers.
MONROE, Sevier County — A few more evacuation orders have been issued after firefighters reported a "tough" day battling a wildfire growing in central Utah.Evacuations were extended to the Burrville and Monroe Canyon areas, as well as parts of Poverty Flat, because of the Monroe Canyon Fire, according to Sevier County Emergency Management.The fire also burned some of Garkane Energy Cooperative's transmission structures, the company that provides power to parts of south-central Utah reported Wednesday night. It h...
MONROE, Sevier County — A few more evacuation orders have been issued after firefighters reported a "tough" day battling a wildfire growing in central Utah.
Evacuations were extended to the Burrville and Monroe Canyon areas, as well as parts of Poverty Flat, because of the Monroe Canyon Fire, according to Sevier County Emergency Management.
The fire also burned some of Garkane Energy Cooperative's transmission structures, the company that provides power to parts of south-central Utah reported Wednesday night. It had forced the company to de-energize some of its transmission lines earlier in the day. That led to an outage that impacted Burrville, as well as areas like Antimony, Fish Lake, Koosharem and parts of Wayne County, which will now last until at least Thursday morning.
An update on the situation is expected after crews can access the impacted sites, the power provider added. Sevier County officials had warned residents to prepare for outages that could last for an "extended period."
State Route 24 was briefly closed between state Route 119 and state Route 62 in the area because of "poor visibility and fire activity" Wednesday evening, but it has since reopened, according to the Utah Department of Transportation.
The updates come as containment of the fire has dropped while "critical" fire weather conditions continue to impact firefighting operations in the region.
"Today was tough. ... Today was humbling," said Trent Ingram, commander of the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team No. 5, during a public meeting in Richfield Wednesday night. "You just can't predict the fire and what it's going to do. ... We lost the battle today (but) haven't lost the war yet."
The Monroe Canyon Fire had grown to 36,637 acres by Wednesday morning, surpassing the France Canyon Fire as Utah's largest wildfire this year. It's now the state's largest wildfire in five years, as well.
Containment of the fire also dropped from 16% on Tuesday to 11% on Wednesday, as the fire continues to grow. A mixture of strong wind gusts, low relative humidity and warmth prompted the National Weather Service to issue a series of red flag warnings within central and southwest Utah this week. Those warnings state that "any new fire starts or existing fires may spread rapidly" because of the weather conditions.
Monroe Canyon Fire activity has "quickly increased" because of the "record-breaking low fuel moistures" in the area, federal firefighters wrote in their Wednesday report. Despite having over 1,000 firefighters assigned to the fire and "throwing everything at it," conditions were severe enough that it ended in evacuations, power outages and temporary road closures, Ingram said.
It's also made it difficult to slow down the fire even in previously treated areas. Similar issues were reported on Monday.
Relative humidity typically increases at night, helping slow down the spread of wildfires — but that hasn't been the case with the Monroe Canyon Fire, said Caleb Cravens, an incident meteorologist assigned to the fire this week, during another community meeting on Monday. That's factored into the fire's massive growth, helping it triple in size over the past five days.
Monsoonal moisture returned to the West this week, but most of that is east and west of the state, said KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson. The lone upside is that it may lower the risk of dry lightning in the area.
Red flag warnings will likely remain in the area through rest of the week, fire meteorologists said Wednesday night. Even if warnings aren't issued, they said conditions will likely remain poor for firefighting efforts into early next week.
Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson attended the meeting to relay the state's support for the affected communities.
"We've got your back, and we're here for whatever it is you need," she said. "Just know that our hearts and our prayers and our thoughts and our actions are all with you."
A local emergency was issued and approved by the state, but she said it's unclear yet if the state will issue an emergency in response to the fire, after being asked about it during the meeting. That's ultimately up to Gov. Spencer Cox, and any order would have to be approved by the Utah Legislature if it were to stretch beyond 30 days, she noted.
Cox is expected to attend another community meeting planned for Friday night.
New fire restrictions are also headed to the region. An order implementing Stage 2 fire restrictions at Fishlake National Forest will go into place on Friday, said Mike Elson, the forest's supervisor. The order will ban campfires and other open fires in the area.
"It's very important that we don't have any additional fires start ... and draw away resources," he said.
Smoke from the fire has made its way to communities north of it over the last few days due to southwest winds. Some haziness has set up over the Wasatch Front over the past few days, as well, but Johnson said communities directly north and east of the fire, like Price, will continue to receive the thickest smoke as long as winds arrive from the south and southwest.
The International Space Station even captured images of the fire's smoke path this week, along with the much larger Dragon Bravo Fire at Grand Canyon National Park, which has blown into southeast Utah.
The smoke can lower air quality levels, especially in areas where it is the thickest.
"Smoke from wildfires could cause high concentrations of particulates. If smoke becomes thick, persons with existing heart or respiratory ailments should reduce physical exertion and outdoor activity," Utah Division of Air Quality officials wrote in an air quality report Wednesday.
The Key Takeaways for this article were generated with the assistance of large language models and reviewed by our editorial team. The article, itself, is solely human-written.
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