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SALT LAKE CITY — They're stepping up hillside patrols, even threatening to put offenders behind bars. Several police agencies along the Wasatch Front are stepping up enforcement of fire restrictions for the Fourth of July holiday and beyond.
In Summit County, deputies already booked one man into jail for starting a bonfire near Echo Reservoir Friday. Investigators said Zachery Line claimed responsibility for the fire, but the confession didn't elicit sympathy.
"If you're going to violate the fire code this year, you're going to be taken to jail," said Summit County Sheriff Dave Edmunds. "We've got the room to do it, and that's exactly what we're going to do. It's that dangerous out there."
If you're going to violate the fire code this year, you're going to be taken to jail.
–Sheriff Dave Edmunds
Edmunds is the head of one of the agencies taking "zero-tolerance" policies against fire restriction law breakers.
In Davis County, Sheriff Todd Richardson said he authorized extra shifts for deputies to patrol hillsides over the holiday. Deputies are expected to be armed with ATVs and a Humvee in addition to the regular slate of SUVs and trucks.
"This isn't just an incident that we're looking at loss of property," Richardson said. "There's a high probability of loss of life at the same time."
Deputy Mike Ditolla took KSL News on a tour of what's known as Firebreak Road above Farmington. Beside the dirt trail, bone dry brush and yellow grass.
"Past few weeks we've been out there handing out a lot of warnings, letting folks know that the regulations are in effect," Ditolla said of hillsides in the county. "And starting this week — based on the danger being so high — we're going to start handing out citations for it."
Related:
List of restricted areas for fireworks in Utah
The recent fires have made for dangerous conditions in Utah. Considering the upcoming Independence Day and Pioneer Day holidays, fireworks restrictions have been put in place for several cities around the state.Other police agencies talked of stricter enforcement and a few more resources in the field.
Lt. Chad Ledford said Ogden police would be sending out four full-time officers with patrolling fire teams, rather than the volunteers they dispatched in past years.
Weber County Sheriff's Capt. Klint Anderson said deputies in his jurisdiction would be more prone to issue citations than in past years.
Sgt. Spencer Cannon with the Utah County Sheriff's Office said deputies would focus on fire restriction enforcement in canyon areas over the coming weeks.
Additional police agencies — including Salt Lake City Police, Unified Police and Provo Police — said they were remaining complaint-based but were planning to be extra vigilant for potential problems.
"We're in extreme danger right now across the state — across the West — and we need to take those precautions," Davis County fire marshal Ellis Bruch said.
