Gov. Spencer Cox announced Thursday a state of emergency and temporary firework restrictions through the July 4 weekend due to historically severe fire conditions across Utah.
“This is not just big government. This is life or death stuff,” Cox said in a press conference in Salt Lake City announcing the order, pointing out that more than 140,000 acres have been burned before July even begins.
Fireworks banned under ‘the worst possible situation that we’ve ever seen’
The executive order expands the authority of the state forester to restrict the use of fireworks in Utah through July 5.
“I can’t overemphasize enough, guys, this year is different,” Cox said. “It’s different than any other year that any of us have experienced.”
Under the restriction, mayors and local leaders can consult with fire officials to designate areas where conditions allow for safe firework use.
Some counties are already responding to the call. Barbara Smith, director of communications for Provo City, said Provo will have a complete ban on fireworks, excluding permitted events, such as the Stadium of Fire. Herriman announced that fireworks will be illegal through July 21, with some professional displays, including Herriman Towne Days on June 27, still allowed.
State leaders are encouraging Utahns to attend community fire shows instead of lighting their own at home.
“It’s America 250. I want people to be able to celebrate, and fireworks are part of that celebration, but this year, we have to respond to the reality that is with us, not the one that we wish we had,” Cox said.
Cox stressed that firefighting resources are already “stressed to the limit.” More than one thousand fire personnel are actively on duty fighting fires across Utah, and Type 1 crews — teams trained specifically for wildland fires — are depleted.
“If on July 3, 4, or 5 we have multiple starts in this valley, we’re screwed,” Cox said. “That’s it. Nobody to respond.”
Utah is facing ‘the right conditions at the wrong time’
After a historically dry winter, every county in Utah faces severe drought conditions, with 22 counties in extreme drought.
Combined with low humidity and strong winds, “that means that if a fire starts small, we will not stay small for very long,” said Jamie Barnes, director of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.
Utah has already seen more than 353 wildfires this season and several large fires are actively burning.
The largest fire of the year is the Cottonwood Fire in Beaver County, which has burned more than 70,000 acres and is 0% contained. The Cottonwood Fire is “likely the most destructive and costly fire” the state has ever seen, according to Barnes.
“We are concerned with where we are, and if we don’t see a change, we are going to be headed in the wrong direction,” Barnes said.
More than 140,000 acres of land have been burned this season already. Most fires are human-caused, and law enforcement is pursuing charges against instigators.
“Law enforcement across the state will put every resource towards catching and screening charges against those individuals responsible,” said Beau Mason, commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety.
One arsonist has already been arrested for allegedly starting several fires throughout the valley.
Only 13,300 acres had burned on June 17, according to KSL.com.
The restriction on fireworks is set to last from July 3 to July 5. State officials will reevaluate conditions before Pioneer Day celebrations on July 25.
“Fireworks are inherently dangerous. They’re inherently unpredictable. That’s just part of how fireworks work,“ Cox said. “Our goal is simple, to make sure our communities are still standing on July 5th.”
Poll: Utahns opinions on firework bans are split
In a recent Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Polit-cs poll, 2 in 5 Utah voters (42%) said fireworks should only be allowed for government events.
The remaining voters were split in favor of a total ban (27%) or no new restrictions (24%).
Groups more likely to be pro-firework included men, younger voters and Republicans.
The poll was conducted June 16-22 by Morning Consult of 850 registered Utah voters with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.0 percentage points.
“I love fireworks more than just about anything. I turn into a kid again every Fourth of July and every 24th of July,” Cox said. “I would not do this if it wasn’t the worst possible situation that we’ve ever seen.”
Other restrictions in the state
Barnes announced that the entire state will move to Stage 2 fire restriction starting June 26 at 12:01am.
Stage 2 restrictions include:
No fires: All fires, including campfires and stove fires, are prohibited on state and public lands.
No smoking: Smoking is only allowed in an enclosed building or vehicle.
Limited use of professional tools: Chainsaws, generators, welding tools, torches with an open flame and other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine are prohibited between 10:00am and 10:00pm.
Exploding targets, tracer bullets, fireworks, and other pyrotechnic devices are prohibited regardless of this order.