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SALT LAKE CITY — It's been a very active fire season in Utah.
State forestry officials said there were 774 wildfires reported through Sunday. They've burned an estimated 182,000 acres through the Beehive State.
That's compared to 403 fires this time last year and 757 in 2018 — one of the state's worst fire seasons on record.
More alarming, 82% of the state's fires heading into the Pioneer Day holiday were determined to be human-caused. Fire crews have been able to contain 91% of the 2020 fires at 10 acres or less.
The number of fires doesn't seem to let up either. In fact, 237 of Utah's fires heading into the Pioneer Day holiday occurred after the Sunday leading into the July 4 holiday.
The two holidays are important in this light because they cover the majority of days when fireworks are legal in the state. Of the 774 wildfires, 48 were caused by fireworks. They include the Traverse and the Turkey Farm Road fires.
Lehi City officials confirmed on Tuesday that two teenagers were charged with reckless burning in regards to the Traverse Mountain Fire. The estimated cost of the fire, which burned about 467 acres, was listed at $415,000. The Turkey Farm Road Fire scorched nearly 12,000 acres near Washington City before it was contained.
Per state law, individuals cannot light off fireworks except on New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year’s Eve, as well as July 2-5 and July 22-25 for the Independence Day and Pioneer Day holidays. For those July holiday periods, people can launch fireworks between 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and up to midnight on the day of the holiday.
That means fireworks can be launched from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, as well as 11 a.m. to midnight Friday.
Even though fireworks are legal to launch during those days, many cities and counties have designated areas where you can launch them and restricted areas where you cannot. The restricted areas are usually around foothills or any other area covered with vegetation that can easily ignite.
Launching fireworks outside of a designated area or outside the dates allowed could result in a $1,000 fine. Harsher penalties could be handed down if illegal firework use does spark a wildfire, including fines upward of $100,000 to cover for fire suppression costs for those convicted of starting a fire.
Here are areas in Utah where new orders have been released regarding where you can and can’t launch fireworks during the state’s legal launching period:
State and federal lands
All forest lands owned by federal or state agencies prohibit fireworks. They’re also banned in state and national parks.
Utah's state forester issued an order on Monday banning fires, including fireworks on unincorporated land in Tooele, Utah, Salt Lake, Davis, and Morgan counties. A similar order was issued for many southern Utah counties in June.
Alpine
Fireworks are banned at city parks and near creeks, as well as:
- Areas north and west of Westfield Road and Pfeifferhorn Drive to the city’s western boundary.
- Areas west of Matterhorn Drive from Blue Spruce Road to Lupine Drive.
- Areas north of Lupine Drive from Matterhorn Drive to 400 West.
- All areas north of 200 North from 400 West to Main Street.
- Areas north of 770 North from Main Street to Coventry Lane, except for a pocket near Grove Drive. Fireworks are banned in areas north of Apple Tree Drive in that section.
- Areas east of Coventry Lane from 770 North to Canterbury Lane
- Areas east of Alpine Boulevard from Canterbury Lane to Ridge Drive.
- Areas south and east of Ridge Drive from Alpine Boulevard to Canyon Crest Road
- Areas east of Canyon Crest Road from Ridge Drive to the southern boundary
A map of the restrictions can be found here.
Blanding
No restrictions within city limits, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety.
Bluffdale
Aerial fireworks are recommended to be launched only at Independence Park (15245 S. Noell Nelson Drive) and Bluffdale City Main Park (2400 W. 14400 South). Residents are urged to use caution when lighting round fireworks anywhere else in the city.
Brigham City
The city’s fireworks restrictions include all areas west of I-15, the Brigham City Municipal Airport, as well as Kotter, Bowden and Bott canyons. On a map, the banned areas east of I-15 are:
- East of state Route 38 from 1500 North to 900 North
- East of Highland Boulevard from 900 North to Beecher Avenue
- South or east of Eliasson Avenue, 100 North at 1000 East, 700 East from Eliasson Avenue and Forest Street
- East of 600 North from Forest Street to 1000 South
- South of U.S. Highway 89 and east of Michelle Drive
Fire officials point out fireworks are banned throughout all of the Tannervista and Kotter Canyon subdivisions.
Bountiful
Fireworks are banned in areas:
- East of 650 East from Pages Lane to 1400 North
- East of 900 East from 1400 North to 400 East
- East of Davis Boulevard from 400 North to Monarch Drive
- Areas east of Monarch Drive beginning at Davis Boulevard to the southern boundary
A map of the firework restrictions can be found here.
Cache County
Fireworks are banned in all unincorporated land in the county, as well as Cornish.
Centerville
A firework restriction map can be found here.
Charleston
Fireworks are allowed in all locations between 2400 South, 3600 West and U.S. Highway 189. A complete map of restrictions can be found here.
Clinton
No firework restrictions, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety.
Diamond Valley
All fireworks banned, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety.
Draper
Fireworks are permitted in all areas of the city except for parks, the vacant K-Mart parking lot at 1055 E. Draper Parkway and:
- Areas west of I-15
- Areas south of 13800 South
- Areas east of 1300 East
- Areas between 700 East and 1000 East and north of the TRAX line.
A map of the firework restrictions can be found here.
Elk Ridge
All fireworks banned due to dry conditions, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety.
Enterprise
No restrictions within city limits, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety.
Farmington
Fireworks are banned at Farmington Pond, Point of View Park and Woodland Park. They are also banned in areas near the foothills within city limits. A complete map of restrictions can be found here.
Heber City/Daniel
Fireworks are allowed within most parts of the city limits of Heber City and Daniel. They are banned east of Miller Road in Heber City and most areas north of 600 North. They are also banned in locations south of 3000 South in Daniel.
Highland
Fireworks are banned in areas around Beacon Hills Park, Highland Hills Park, View Point Park, Lone Peak High School, Mitchell Hollow Park, Highland City Parks. They’re also banned near the mouth of Alpine Loop
A full map of restrictions can be found here.
Ivins
Fireworks are banned within city limits except for area near Ivins City Hall and Ivins City Park that runs south toward the city limits. A full map of restrictions can be found here.
Logan
Fireworks are allowed in most parts but banned:
- At the east bench of the city (east of 1600 East and east of Gibbons Parkway; east side of 1600 East from north city boundary to U.S. Highway 89; south of U.S. 89 from 1600 East to 600 East, north side of Canyon Road from 600 East to 1600 East; south side of Logan River from 1600 East to Center Street, the north of Center Street from Logan River, east along Center Street, east along Cliffside Drive and then east on Quail Way to Gibbons Parkway; east of Gibbons Parkway from Quail Way to the south boundary)
- The gravel pit (south side of the northern boundary from 1200 East to 1400; west of 1400 East from the northern boundary to 1000 North; north of 1000 North from 1400 East to 1200 East and east of 1200 North from 1000 North to northern boundary)
- West closure (west of 600 West from the northern boundary to 200 South, north of 200 South from 600 West to 1000 West and west of 1000 West from 200 South to the southern boundary)
- North closure (east side of 200 West from 1400 North to 1800 North and north of 1800 North from 200 West to 600 West)
A complete map of closures can be found here.
Morgan City
Fireworks allowed except in areas:
- North of 600 East and 700 East
- East and south of Imperial Drive (including South Morgan Cemetary and Morgan City boundary)
Morgan County
No fireworks allowed north and east of Old Highway Road. A map of Morgan City and Morgan County restrictions can be found here.
North Salt Lake
A firework restriction map can be found here.
Ogden
Fireworks and open fires are restricted in all areas east of Harrison Boulevard/Mountain Road, as well as all areas by the Ogden River Parkway. A full map can be found here.
Park City
All fireworks banned within city limits.
Parowan
Fireworks are prohibited in all locations except for ground fireworks set off at Lions Park, located at 100 South and 300 East in the city.
Payson
Payson’s firework restrictions are located at its southeastern portion of city limits near Nebo Loop. That includes area:
- Areas south of 400 South beginning at 600 East
- Areas south of 800 South beginning at Canyon Road
- Areas east of Main Street beginning at 1250 South
A map of the restrictions can be found online here.
Perry
Perry’s restrictions include all areas west of railroad tracks in the city, as well as areas:
- East of Chateau Drive to 1500 South
- South of 1500 South to Canyon View Drive
- East of Canyon View Drive/100 West at 1750 South
- South of 1750 South to 165 West
- East of 165 West to 1865 South
- East of Sunridge Drive from approximately 1865 South to 2000 South
- North of 2000 South from east Sunridge Drive
- East of 2100 South from approximately 385 West
- East of 385 West to 2400 South
- East of Elm Grove Drive from 2400 South to 2500 South
- South of 2500 from Elm Grove Drive to Peach Street/450 West
- East of Peach Street/450 West to Osmond Lane
- South of Osmond Lane from Peach Street to U.S. Highway 89
- East of U.S. Highway 89 from Osmond Lane to the southern part of Perry city limits
Plymouth
All fireworks banned, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety.
Provo
Fireworks are allowed at Sertoma, Kiwanis, Provost, Exchange, Fort Utah and parks. Footprinter Park was originally listed as accepted by the city but Provo Fire tweeted that it is banned.
They are banned on BYU's campus as well as areas:
- East of Canyon Road
- North of Foothill Drive
- East of Timpview Drive
- East of 900 East from 2200 North to Birch Lane
- Each of Birch Lane to 700 North
- East of Seven Peaks Boulevard to 300 South
- North of 300 South from Seven Peaks Boulevard to Slate Canyon Road
- East of Slate Canyon Road to 1320 South
- East of U.S. Highway 89 from 1320 South to the southern boundary of the city
A full map of Provo's restrictions can be found here.
Salt Lake City
Fireworks are allowed except for:
- All areas east of 900 East, including the University of Utah campus
- All areas north of South Temple, including City Creek Canyon
- East of 300 West, North of Wall Street through Beck Street to the north limit
- All city parks and wildland urban interface areas
- All areas west of Redwood Road
More information about the city's fireworks restrictions can be found here.
Sandy
Fireworks are prohibited in all city limits:
- West of I-15
- All of Dimple Dell Park trails, as well as all city parks and 700 East to Savannah Drive from 10600 South to 11000 South. That includes area surrounding the Pebblebrook golf course and Sandy Amphitheater.
- All areas east of 1300 East from northern to southern city limits except for a section from 9400 Sego to Lily Drive that begins east of Roseboro Road or Highland Drive in the area. Another pocket where fireworks are allowed exists from 11400 South to Hidden Valley Road from 1300 East to 1700 South.
An interactive map showing all areas where fireworks are and aren’t allowed can be found here.
Springville
Fireworks are allowed in areas except for:
- "The North East Boundary" — or areas within 1,000 feet of the U.S. Forest Service and Springville City boundaries. The restrictions in this area start at Main Street and 1400 North, then east through Millpond Drive, east at 400 North over to 1300 East and Canyon Road to 2450 East, as well as all areas east of 2450 East to the end of city limits.
- All areas west of the city's railroad tracks. This also includes a section east of the tracks at 400 South to about 700 South and Main Street to 400 West. There's also a pocket west of the tracks where fireworks are allowed. That runs from 400 West to 950 West and from Hobble Creek to 700 South.
A map of the restrictions can be found here.
St. George
Fireworks are banned in most edges of the city with pockets of acceptable launching areas within city boundaries.
An interactive map showing areas where fireworks are allowed and banned can be found here.
Wallsburg
No designated areas for fireworks.
Washington City
Fireworks are banned in many portions of the city's northern, eastern and southern boundaries, including locations near Red Cliff National Conservation Area. An interactive map showing firework restrictions can be found here.
Wellington
All aerial fireworks that launch more than 25 feet are prohibited and all other fireworks must be at least 25 feet away from combustibles. Those launching fireworks should also have water nearby and disposed of in a non-combustible container.
West Jordan
Fireworks are permitted except for parts of the city west of state Route 111 (Bacchus Highway), within 200 feet of the Jordan River Parkway Trail east of 1300 West, within 200 feet of the Clay Hollo Wash that runs east and west from 4800 West to SR-111 near 7800 South, within 200 feet of Bingham Creek and at all city parks except if a professional display license is obtained.
Woodland Hills
No fireworks allowed within city limits, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety.
Other Utah areas
Just because a 2020 map hasn't been issued doesn't mean restrictions from previous years don't apply. A full list of towns and cities with fireworks ordinances and restrictions can be found here.
If you're still unsure whether where you're located allows fireworks or not, Utah public safety officials urge that you contact your local fire department.
