âThink outside the boxâ: U of U researchers look at wildfire evacuations and last updated 2021-05-25 20:52:17-04 UTAH COUNTY, Utah â A study led by researchers at the University of Utah outlined new ways to prepare for wildfire evacuations, especially in dire situations where there isnât much time to get out. In order to save lives, researchers found the need to rely on many elements that are not used right now, including improvising and neighbors helping neighbors, Tom Cova said. Cova is one of the authors of the study, as well as a professor in the Department of Geography for the University of Utah.