Fire Restrictions Lifted in Southwest Utah
Color Country Interagency Fire
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 17, 2018
Media Contacts:
Mike Melton- UT Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (435) 590-4712
Kevin Greenhalgh – Dixie National Forest (435) 865-3700
Nick Howell- BLM Color Country District (435) 590-4821
Larry Crutchfield- BLM Grand Staircase Escalante NM (435) 691-4310
Jeramie Ybright- Bureau of Indian Affairs (435) 674-9720
Taiga Rohrer- National Park Service (435) 772-7842
Fire restrictions to be rescinded in southwest Utah
Fire managers urge caution as wildfire danger still exists
CEDAR CITY – Color Country Interagency Fire Managers are rescinding fire restrictions on unincorporated private lands, state lands, and federally administered public lands in southwest Utah. After receiving recent precipitation, long-range weather forecasts are calling for improved wildfire danger conditions. The restrictions will be rescinded starting on Monday, August 20 at 00:01 a.m. on all lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Color Country District, USDA Forest Service Dixie National Forest, National Park Service jurisdictions including Cedar Breaks and Pipe Spring National Monuments, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks, and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Bureau of Indian Affairs Southern Paiute Agency, and unincorporated state and private lands in Washington, Iron, Beaver, Kane, and Garfield counties.
“Regardless of fire restriction status, permits for any debris burning are always required and strictly enforced,” said Mike Melton, Fire Management Officer for the Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands.
“The fall season can produce cold nights and very warm, dry and windy days. Unwanted human caused wildfires can still occur under these conditions and cause wildfire challenges,” said Tooter Burdick, Fire Management Officer for the Bureau of Land Management.
While fire restrictions have been lifted in these areas, wildfire is always a risk. Visitors are encouraged to use appropriate methods to contain fires, build them in areas free of vegetation, and to be certain that fires are completely extinguished after use. Fire officials also caution against possessing, using, igniting, or detonating fireworks and exploding targets on federally administered public lands as these acts are always prohibited, even when fire restrictions are not in effect.
For more information on fires in Utah visit utahfireinfo.gov
