Most operations at the University of Utah — including its hospital and public garden — were open as normal Monday, even as a wildfire burned along the edge of campus.
But that could change, depending on smoke and safety conditions from the Bonneville Fire that sparked Saturday afternoon and had grown to just under 500 acres Monday.
Notably, a concert planned for Tuesday evening at Red Butte Garden and Arboretum will continue as planned, though officials are monitoring the fire and will announce changes if needed.
Here’s what we know.
University of Utah Health
All University of Utah Health functions are open and welcoming patients. That includes the main hospital on campus and the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
A photo posted by U. Health on Sunday showed flames on the foothills just behind its hospital.
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“U of U Health remains fully operational across all of our clinical, research, education, and community missions,” according to an alert sent to staff Sunday. “Patient care remains uninterrupted across all hospitals and clinics, and scheduled patient appointments should proceed as planned.”
With smoke affecting air quality, though, those health facilities are adding extra filters to “help reduce potential smoke exposure indoors.”
Red Butte Garden
Red Butte Garden and Arboretum is also “closely monitoring” the impacts of the Bonneville Fire, said spokesperson Kate Randall.
The fire hasn’t crossed into Red Butte’s grounds, she noted, but “it came very close” on Saturday evening, when guests both there and at the Natural History Museum of Utah were evacuated.
Jamaican reggae musician Ziggy Marley is scheduled to perform Tuesday evening at the garden’s annual Outdoor Concert Series.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) HISS Golden Messenger plays at Red Butte Garden, on Monday, July 15, 2024.
Randall said fire conditions, including emergency responder activity, “may necessitate changes to Red Butte Amphitheatre parking areas based on guidance from emergency officials.”
But at this time, the plan is to still hold the concert.
The Red Butte Garden team will communicate any adjustments to the schedule on social media and in emails to ticket holders.
“The safety of our guests, performers, staff, volunteers, and first responders remain our top priority,” Randall said. “We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to monitor the situation.”
Natural History Museum of Utah
The Natural History Museum of Utah, which sits on the foothills south of Red Butte Garden, is open as well.
Like with the garden, the museum shut down shortly Saturday as the fire edged close.
Guests at a wedding there that evening were forced to evacuate and relocate.
Currently, museum spokesperson Ashley Thess said: “Guests are invited to escape the heat inside.”
University of Utah main campus
The only impact to the university’s main campus is air quality, U. spokesperson Rebecca Walsh said.
That was worse Sunday and had started to clear a bit Monday. Employees were offered the option to work from home, when possible, and to stay indoors if they are sensitive to smoke.
“Some buildings on campus may be affected more than others and campus leaders are in touch with building managers to adjust operations in individual buildings,” read a note sent to campus Sunday.
Classes and special events also continued as normal Monday. Students who can’t attend were directed to request accommodations from the U.’s Center for Disability and Access.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) An emergency management vehicle at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Monday, June 22, 2026.
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