Fire restrictions implemented across southwest Utah and northern Arizona- May 26

News Release
Color Country Interagency Fire Management

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE         

May 24, 2021                                                                         

Mike Melton- UT Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (435) 590-4712                                          

Christian Venhuizen- Color Country District, Bureau of Land Management (435) 704-1815

David Hercher- Paria River District, Bureau of Land Management (435) 899-0415

Rachel Carnahan – AZ Strip District, Bureau of Land Management (435) 688-3303

Kevin Abel, Dixie National Forest (435) 592-4866

Jeramie Ybright- Bureau of Indian Affairs (435) 674-9720                                             

Greg Bartin- National Park Service, Zion National Park (435) 772-7847                                                              

Fire restrictions implemented across southwest Utah and northern Arizona

Due to extreme drought, record low precipitation levels, higher than usual visitor numbers and high fire danger, Color Country Interagency Fire Managers are implementing fire restrictions beginning Wednesday, May 26 at 00:001 a.m. on the Arizona Strip and all unincorporated county, state and federally administered public lands in the following Utah counties: Washington, Kane, Garfield, Iron, and Beaver (excluding Fishlake National Forest, Beaver Ranger District).

Firefighters are responding to increasing numbers of human caused wildfires across the region and weather forecasting models continue to predict drier conditions with increasing fire danger and above normal potential for large fires for the next few months, according to Bureau of Land Management Color Country Fire Management Officer Josh Tibbetts.

“We are responding to more vehicle related fires this year because of cheatgrass coupled with dry conditions at lower elevations,” said Tibbetts.

With increased public recreation occurring and potential for human caused fires, the following acts are prohibited until fire danger decreases and fire restrictions are rescinded. 

• No campfires or open fires outside of agency improved and maintained campgrounds and home sites in southwest Utah. Running water is required on cabins or homesites on unincorporated private land.  Devices fueled by liquid petroleum are allowed.
• No discharging of fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices outside of incorporated city limits (city specific restrictions may apply).
• No shooting of exploding targets or tracer ammunition.
• No cutting, grinding, or welding of metal in areas of dry vegetation. This includes acetylene torches.
• No use of equipment without a working and properly maintained spark arrestor (if required).
• No smoking near vegetation or outside of a developed recreation site, personal vehicle or building.
• No campfires are allowed in Zion National Park, including Lava Point.
• Campfires are allowed at Glen Canyon in established campgrounds within established rings and below the water line only, in areas completely void of vegetation.

Be aware that fire restrictions will be slightly different among agencies and these restrictions DO NOT apply to incorporated cities.  Please check the specific fire restrictions with the respective land management agency before visiting.

Agency specific restrictions and reference maps are posted on Utahfireinfo.gov and www.wildlandfire.az.gov.   

Please Note: Fire conditions are extreme for the time of year. Please ensure your campfire is completely out before you leave and all ignition sources are a safe distance away from vegetation to prevent unwanted wildfires.

For more information on preventing unwanted human caused wildfires, visit www.utahfireinfo.gov and www.wildlandfire.az.gov or on Twitter @UtahWildfire.

-CCIFM-