Duchesne, Uintah counties placed under Stage 1 fire restrictions, Summit County sees firework ban

SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — Duchesne County and Uintah County have been placed under Stage 1 fire restrictions due to critical weather and extremely dry vegetation conditions, according to the Department of Natural Resources’ Utah Fire Info page.

“Due to current and forecasted weather conditions coupled with the extremely dry vegetation conditions in northeastern Utah, the State Forester, in consultation with the county commission of the affected county, has determined that measures must be taken to prevent the ignition of forest and rangeland fires,” a fire restriction order from the DNR’s Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands states. “Fire danger is extreme.”

The restriction order applies to all unincorporated private and state lands within Duchesne County and Uintah County. This order reportedly does not affect private lands within incorporated towns or city limits.

Here is a list of prohibited acts under a Stage 1 fire restriction order:

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. No 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. No fireworks, tracer ammunition or other pyrotechnic devices including exploding targets.
4. No cutting, welding or grinding metal in areas of dry vegetation.
5. No operating a motorcycle, chainsaw, ATV, or other small internal combustion engine without an approved and working spark arrestor.

The order will be effective as of Friday, July 19. Violating any of the acts listed above is punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

Additionally, Summit County is being placed under a firework restriction order, meaning the discharge or use of any kind of fireworks, tracer ammunition, or other pyrotechnic devices, including exploding targets, is prohibited. This order is also effective July 19.

The majority of Utah is currently under a fire restriction of some kind, with most areas under Stage 1 fire restrictions. Here is a map of restrictions , provided by Utah Fire Info.

The 2024 wildfire season thus far has seen 563 total fires, with 39,985 acres burned, according to Utah Fire Info.

For more information, visit the Utah Fire Info website here .

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