Counties across Utah increasing fire restrictions
Organization
Media Contact:
SALT LAKE CITY - Due to another year of severe drought, Color Country, Central Utah, and Northern Utah Interagency Fire Managers are implementing fire restrictions beginning July 18 on all unincorporated county, state and federally administered public lands in the following Utah counties: Juab, Millard, Wayne, Piute, Sevier, Sanpete, Box Elder, Weber, Cache, Rich, Morgan, Davis, Salt Lake, Tooele, Utah, Washington, Kane, Garfield, Iron and Beaver (excluding Uinta, Wasatch, Cache National Forest, and Manti La-Sal National Forest), and BLM administered lands in Wasatch and Summit.
“Despite the recent monsoon storms, rainfall has not been widespread, and the majority of Utah remains in extreme drought,” said Bureau of Land Management Utah State Fire Management Officer Chris Delaney. “While the moisture we received was much needed, it has not been enough to reduce our wildland fire risk. We still need every Utahn to use their Fire Sense and to be a responsible public land user when enjoying the outdoors.”
While fire restrictions are in effect, the following acts are prohibited:
- Campfires or open fires outside of agency improved and maintained campgrounds and home sites; running water is required on cabins or homesites on unincorporated private land; devices fueled by liquid petroleum are allowed
- Discharging of fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices outside of incorporated city limits (city specific restrictions may apply
- Shooting of exploding targets or tracer ammunition
- Cutting, grinding, or welding of metal in areas of dry vegetation; This includes acetylene torches
- Use of off-highway vehicle, chainsaw, or internal combustion engines without a working and properly maintained spark arrestor (if required)
- No smoking near vegetation or outside of a developed recreation site, personal vehicle, or building
- Use of any sky lanterns, Chinese lanterns, fire balloons, acetylene balloons or similar device
Please be aware that fire restrictions will differ slightly among agencies, and these restrictions do not apply to incorporated cities. Before visiting, please check the specific fire restrictions with the respective land management agency.
Local, state and federal fire officials urge Utahns to use their ‘Fire Sense’ to help prevent unwanted wildfires. ‘Fire Sense’ is an interagency fire awareness campaign implemented last year to increase public knowledge on how to prevent wildland fires. For more information on preventing unwanted human-caused wildfires, agency-specific restrictions, and reference maps, visit www.utahfiresense.org, www.utahfireinfo.gov, and www.wildlandfire.az.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter @UtahWildfire.
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Agency Media Contacts:
Hannah Lenkowski, West Desert District, Bureau of Land Management, 385-315-3361
Kayli Yardley, Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, 385-377-0336
Jill Ivie, Fishlake National Forest, USDA, 435-253-1682
Elizabeth Wharton, Sawtooth National Forest, USDA, 208-420-9936
Nick Howell, Color Country District, Bureau of Land Management, 435-704-1815
David Hercher, Paria River District, Bureau of Land Management, 435-899-0415
Rachel Carnahan, AZ Strip District, Bureau of Land Management, 435-688-3303
Kevin Abel, Dixie National Forest, USDA, 435-592-4866
Chris Henrie, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 435-590-7355
Jonathan Shafer, Zion National Park, National Park Service, 435-772-7847
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.