High Fire Danger Prompts Fire Restrictions in Northern Utah

July 6, 2018

CONTACTS:
BLM – Hannah Cowan 801-977-4315  Jhen Rawling 801-977-4344

State of Utah – Jason Curry 801-703-0225

SALT LAKE CITY — Current and forecasted weather coupled with extremely dry vegetation throughout northern Utah have created hazardous fire conditions. As a result, fire restrictions will be implemented on all State, Bureau of Land Management, and unincorporated private lands over the next several days in the following counties:

· State lands and unincorporated private lands in Salt Lake, Davis, Morgan, Utah, Tooele, Rich, Cache, Box Elder, and Weber counties.

· BLM Salt Lake Field Office areas located in Salt Lake, Utah, Tooele, Box Elder, Cache, Rich, Weber, Morgan, Davis, Summit, and Wasatch counties.

The restrictions will be in place until the fire hazard subsides. Maps and more specific information about the fire restrictions may be found on the interagency Utah Fire Info website.

The restriction orders are specific to each agency and may contain different stipulations, but all the orders have the following prohibited acts in common:

• Campfires, except in permanently constructed cement or metal fire pits provided in developed campgrounds and picnic areas. All debris burning is strictly prohibited.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area that is paved, barren, or cleared to mineral soil.
• Metal cutting, welding and grinding activities in areas of dry vegetation.
• Operating a UTV or using any other internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order.
• Discharging, or using any kind of fireworks, firing steel tipped/core ammunition, tracer ammunition or other pyrotechnic devices including exploding targets are prohibited without prior written authorization and special permits.

Everyone can help by heeding these restrictions and practicing fire safety when camping and recreating outdoors. Completely extinguish campfires, dispose of cigarettes properly, stay on established roads and trails to avoid dry brush and grass, and ensure trailer chains don’t drag or create sparks. Being fire-wise helps prevent wildfires, keep families safe, and reduces unnecessary risk to firefighters.

For more information about fire restrictions, wildfires, fire prevention, and fuels treatment projects, please visit www.utahfireinfo.gov.