Moab fire investigators say three people setting off fireworks sparked Monday's blaze in a nature preserve. The Slough fire burned 65 acres in the Matheson Wetlands Preserve Monday night. Erratic winds made for a dangerous fire fight and forced 200 families to evacuate their homes. The Grand county attorney will screen possible charges. Crews say they have the fire under control and fully contained.  Fire managers say it's been a slow start to the fire season because wet weather has kept fire fuel from drying out. Problem is, now there's much more to burn. Tracy Dunford with Utah's Division of Natural Resources says "It's been a wetter than usual spring. We've got a lot of growth because of that moisture. That stuffs going to dry out now and it's going to be a big concern for us."

Even before Wednesday night’s rain storm, some homes in Rose Park already had water damage in their basements. Soil is so soaked, water is seeping into basements through tiny cracks in cement foundations. The Trujillo family had 18 inches of water at one point. Fans are now drying out their carpet. Outside, a home made drainage system made of a tarp, bucket and hose will hopefully reroute rainfall away from the house. Joe Trujillo says he's not the only one fighting the water "This year has just been outrageous just so much water its seeping into all the basements this entire block." Salt Lake City's public utilities department has received several reports. Director Jeff Niermeyer says "with the rising ground water we’re advising people to make sure all their drains are clear are routed away from their foundation walls." The city is tracking the ground water problem and wants to hear from homeowners with flooding in their basements.

            Feb. 2, 2011 - During the past two months, researchers launched weather balloons, drove instrument-laden cars and flew a glider to study winter inversions that often choke Salt Lake City in smog and trap dirty air in other urban basins worldwide.

           

            The field campaign - part of a three-year study by the University of Utah and other institutions - ends Monday, Feb. 7 as atmospheric scientists begin analyzing data they collected to learn how weather conditions contribute to inversions, which occur when warmer air aloft holds cold air near the ground, trapping pollutants.