Fire Restrictions to Be Implemented on State and Unincorporated Private Lands

Northern Utah – State Fire Management Officers are implementing Stage 1 fire restrictions on July 21,
12:01 a.m., due to increasing fire danger on all unincorporated Private and State Lands in Weber, Box
Elder, and Cache Counties. Other land management agencies are not implementing restrictions at this
time.
According to Dusty Richards, the Bear River Area Fire Management Officer, the dry conditions at lower
elevations in northern Utah have led to a rise in vehicle fire starts as fire activity intensifies. This is
primarily due to the healthy growth of cheatgrass, which has benefited from the additional moisture
received this year. As the lighter vegetation dries out in the summer heat, it increases the risk of fire
and makes it easier to ignite.
With increased public recreation occurring and the potential for human-caused fires, the following
acts are prohibited until fire danger decreases and fire restrictions are rescinded.

1. No open fires of any kind except within established public facilities in improved campgrounds,
   picnic areas. -OR- In permanently constructed fire pits at private homes where running water is
   present.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer or building, a developed recreation site or while
   stopped in an area that is paved or free from dry vegetation.
3. Discharging or using any fireworks, tracer ammunition or other pyrotechnic devices including
   exploding targets.
4. Cutting, welding or grinding metal in areas of dry vegetation.
5. Operating a motorcycle, chainsaw, ATV, or other small internal combustion engine without an
   approved and working spark arrestor.
   Please be aware that fire restrictions will differ slightly among agencies, and these restrictions do not apply to
   incorporated cities. Before visiting, please check the specific fire restrictions with the respective land management agency.
   Local, state, and federal fire officials urge Utahns to use their ‘Fire Sense’ to help prevent unwanted wildfires. ‘Fire Sense’ is
   an interagency fire awareness campaign implemented in 2021 to increase public knowledge on how to prevent wildland
   fires. For more information on preventing unwanted human-caused wildfires, agency-specific restrictions, and reference
   maps, visit www.utahfiresense.org, www.utahfireinfo.gov, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter @UtahWildfire.

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Media contact: Kayli Guild, FFSL Fire Public Information Officer, 385-377-0336, [email protected]