Fire restrictions lifted for Eastern Utah, remain in place for Western Utah

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — After increased moisture recently, fire restrictions have been rescinded within areas in Eastern Utah. Restrictions in Western Utah remain in place.

According to the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, the order that implemented stage 1 fire restrictions across all unincorporated private and all state lands throughout Utah has been rescinded, effective September 16.

With the statewide order being lifted, no fire restrictions are in place for Eastern Utah.

However, individual restrictions remain in place for the Central Area, Southwest Area, Wasatch Front Area, and Bear River Area. Additionally, fire restrictions remain in place for the Bureau of Land Management’s West Desert District, Color Country District, and Paria River District.

“Western Utah will remain under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions due to recent critical fire weather and the lack of significant precipitation in those areas,” the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands announced, “Fire officials have determined that proactive measures are still necessary to reduce wildfire risk.”

Stage 1 Fire restrictions prohibit the following:

• Open fires, except in established campgrounds or permanent fire pits at private homes with running water.
• Smoking except inside a vehicle, building, or developed recreation site
• Cutting, welding, or grinding metal in dry vegetation
• Use of internal combustion engines without an approved spark arrestor
• Fireworks, tracer ammunition, exploding targets, and pyrotechnics

The remaining fire restrictions will remain in effect until further notice, with area fire managers will continue to evaluate conditions to determine when restrictions can be rescinded.

“Even though we’ve seen some improvement in fire danger across the state, conditions remain
dry enough in these areas that a single spark could still start a wildfire,” said Jamie Barnes,
Utah State Forester. “We appreciate the public’s continued vigilance in helping protect lives,
property, and Utah’s natural resources.”