Utah downgrades to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, officials urge fire sense

Several agencies, including the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands, and the Utah Bureau of Land Management, have downgraded Utah to Stage 1 fire restrictions. Previously, as of August 1, 2025, the state was following strict Stage 2 restrictions.

Stage 1 restrictions took effect on Thursday, August 28, 2025, and applies to all state and private unincorporated lands in Utah.

The restrictions will also apply to federally managed lands, including those managed by the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service (NPS), and Bureau of Land Management (BLM). For NPS and BLM managed lands in Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, and Washington counties, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will take effect on Friday, August 29, 2025, on 12:01 a.m.

The eased restrictions come after Utah has seen cooler temperatures and weather, but the changes in weather don’t necessarily mean fire danger is over. Chris Delaney, BLM Utah State Fire Management Officer, said, ““Recent rainfall has brought some relief to Utah’s lower-elevation rangelands, but these fuels can dry quickly. While restrictions can be eased slightly, continued caution is needed to protect communities and landscapes.”

Zeph Cunningham, the Acting Intermountain Region Dire Director, added, “We want to remind the public that it’s still fire season in Utah. “Even with these decreased restrictions, we ask everyone to take every precaution to prevent human-caused fires and alleviate the work on our fire resources.”

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

According to Utah Fire Info, Stage 1 fire restrictions include the following:

• Campfires and open fires are not allowed outside of approved campgrounds
• and homesites without running water.
• Fireworks and pyrotechnics are banned outside of city limits and on public lands,
• with fireworks always prohibited on federally managed lands in Utah.
• Shooting of exploding targets, tracer ammunition, or incendiary rounds is not
• permitted.
• Metalworking (cutting, grinding, welding) in dry vegetation areas is prohibited.
• Operating equipment without a spark arrestor – including a motorcycle,
• chainsaw, ATV, or other small internal combustion engine equipment.
• Smoking near vegetation or outside of developed recreation sites, personal
• vehicles, or buildings is not allowed.

Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, individuals can have campfires in established fire rings in designated areas and at private homes with running water. More information on allowed and prohibited activities can be found here.

Fire restrictions of any stage do not apply to incorporated cities and towns.

Brett Ostler, State Fire Management Officer, says, “With restrictions eased for Labor Day, let’s
enjoy safely and responsibly. Use your Fire Sense.”