Wildfire season poses grave risk during Pioneer Day as fireworks allowed again

ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4) — As Pioneer Day approaches, fire officials in St. George are urging caution. After a busy fire season, they say that even small sparks can lead to big consequences.

In Utah, fireworks are regulated by state law, but cities like St. George can set their own firework restrictions based on risk.

And this year, fire officials have said that the risk is high, with several major fires already draining local resources.

“We’ve had some significant fires this season,” St. George City Fire Chief Robert Stoker told ABC4.com. “Very large, creating a lot of property damage. Also, it stretches local and federal resources very thin, so the more fires we have, the more resources that are depleted.”

Stoker said that fireworks are a big part of pioneer day, but they can also be a major fire starter, especially if they are the kind of fireworks that are illegal in Utah.

“If you’re buying those at a local stand or in a store, those are legal. If you’re bringing those from outside to state, they’re most likely illegal. If you can reload your fireworks or if you have a tube where you can actually put the firework in and set it off, then those are generally illegal,” Stoker said.

Fire officials also said that even legal fireworks can be dangerous if used incorrectly, like when consumers ignore basic instructions.

“We see those each year where the firework box will tip over and then start shooting those fireworks sideways and into homes, or brush, and those types of things” Stoker said.

The danger doesn’t end when the show is over.

“Every year we get some trash can fires which are later in the evening when they dispose of their fireworks,” Stoker explained. “We’ve had several over the years where the trash cans were up against the house, so it’ll spread up into the eaves of the house. We’ve had several homes heavily damaged because of the fireworks after they’d been disposed of.”

Stoker encouraged everyone to read the safety instructions printed on the firework itself, and to be aware of the law.

He said that if you start a fire, either in a restricted or non-restricted area, and it damages property, you can be cited. In Utah, firework violations can cost up to $1,000 in fines, and in severe cases, jail time or liability for damages and fire suppression costs.

“We’d just like them to be safe and have fun. You know, we understand the fireworks are a part of the 4th of July and Pioneer Day and New Year’s and those things and, you know, are treated with respect. You know, they are explosive. And so, make sure that you’re treating those as such,” Stoker said.

St. George fire officials said that the best way to enjoy fireworks is to stay legal, stay informed, and stay safe.