Here’s what is prohibited with the latest fire prevention order for north and central Utah

SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — On Tuesday, the Bureau of Land Management’s West Desert District issued a fire prevention order to announce seasonal fire restrictions.

The restrictions within the prevention order will apply to lands managed by the BLM in the following counties: Box Elder, Cache, Juab, Millard, Morgan, Rich, Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele, Utah, Wasatch, and Weber.

BLM West Desert District Manager Michael Gates said 86 percent of Utah’s population is located in the 12 counties listed in the prevention order.

So, what is prohibited under the fire prevention order?

From June 11 until the order is rescinded, the following activities or devices are prohibited:

• Using steel component ammunition.
• Using steel component targets.
• Sky lanterns (or similar devices).
• Operating off-highway vehicles without spark arresters.

“We were fortunate to have so much moisture this year, but as we move into the summer months, we expect warmer temperatures to dry out the large grass crop and rapidly increase fire danger,” Gates said in a press release. “We ask that all visitors to public lands be diligent in preventing wildfires.”

Target shooters are encouraged by the BLM to know their ammunition before they visit public lands.

“To determine whether a bullet contains steel, test with a magnet,” the BLM said. “Orange or red painted tips may indicate tracer ammunition which can ignite flammable substances, such as dry grass, upon contact.”

Here’s how you can prevent wildfires

Per BLM statewide fire prevention order UT 910-21-001 , fireworks, tracer and incendiary ammunition, and explosives of any kind are prohibited year-round.

According to the BLM, there are several ways Utahns can work to prevent wildfires.

“The public is reminded to use caution and be prepared to prevent wildfires when visiting public lands,” the BLM has said. “Please keep water, a shovel and a fire extinguisher handy during the dry summer months.”

Utahns are encouraged to fully extinguish their campfires, as well as avoid building fires when winds are 15 mph or higher. Utahns should also properly dispose of cigarettes and fully extinguish them.

The BLM discourages Utahns from target shooting when the weather conditions are hot, dry, and windy. The BLM also suggests choosing a target shooting backstop that is free of rocks and dry grass, since bullets can create a spark if they hit a rock.

In areas of dry vegetation, Utahns are advised to not cut, weld, or grind metal.

Utahns are encouraged to check the exhaust systems of their off-highway vehicles every year “to ensure the spark arrester is mounted securely and is qualified,” the BLM said.

Furthermore, hot vehicles should not be parked over dry grass, and trailer chains should be lifted above the ground as sparks can be created if the chains are dragging. Furthermore, tires, wheels, and bearing on trailers should be maintained to prevent mechanical failures.

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