- Stage 2 fire restrictions to be enacted across many public lands due to increased wildfire activity statewide.
- The restrictions ban campfires and certain equipment use on public lands.
- Over 150,000 acres of burned so far this year because of wildfires, nearly the same as all of last year.
SALT LAKE CITY — Campfires are being temporarily banned across many public lands across the state, as fire activity has swelled over the past week.
State lands will move to Stage 2 fire restrictions beginning on Friday, Jamie Barnes, director of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, and the state's forester, announced just before Gov. Spencer Cox issued an order allowing cities to restrict fireworks for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday.
It mirrors measures that the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management ordered for several areas across the state, which will also go into effect on Friday.
Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit any fire, including campfires or stove fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes. Stoves, grills or firepits that are fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off will still be permitted, as long as they are "used in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device."
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, is also prohibited, as is operating a generator, chainsaw, or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine capable of igniting a fire, according to the order. It also bans welding, grinding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.
Motor vehicles must remain on designated national forest system roads, motorized trails or established parking areas. Parking is also allowed in areas at least 10 feet from any vegetation.
The order applies to:
- All state lands and unincorporated lands.
- The Bureau of Land Management's Color Country, Canyon Country, Paria River and West Desert districts.
- The Beaver, Cedar City, Escalante, Fillmore, Fremont River, Pine Valley, Powell and Richfield ranger stations of Dixie and Fishlake National Forests.
- Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, as well as Natural Bridges and Hovenweep National Monuments.
The orders will remain in place until conditions improve. Zion National Park was the only other area that had implemented Stage 2 fire restrictions before this week.
The increased fire restrictions come as officials have reported an increasing number of human-caused wildfires, as well as reports of abandoned campfires, said Kevin Greenhalgh, Dixie National Forest's fire management officer. The Stage 2 restrictions will take effect before red-flag fire conditions are forecast to return this weekend.
"We are responding to more reports of abandoned campfires that, coupled with extremely dry conditions at all elevations, could lead to large, challenging fires that threaten communities and public and firefighter safety, similar to what was seen with the Cottonwood Fire on the Fishlake National Forest," he said
The new restrictions also come as extreme drought slowly picks up again after a slight reprieve. Almost 95% of Utah is in at least severe drought, including nearly 40% in extreme or exceptional drought.
That's translated into a rough patch for firefighters.
Nearly 155,000 acres of land across Utah have already burned this year, state and federal firefighters reported Thursday evening. The total number is closing in on the close to 165,000 acres burned through all of last year, the state's busiest fire year since 2020.
Most of that has come over the past week. Over 140,000 acres have burned since June 17, which is more acreage than all of 2022, 2023 and 2024 combined.
The Cottonwood Fire in the Fishlake National Forest, which has jumped to more than 70,000 acres in just three days, is the largest reason for the increase. It's destroyed an unknown number of buildings, including at least pieces of Eagle Point Resort east of Beaver.
Gov. Spencer Cox toured the area on Wednesday and said there's "a very good chance this is already the most destructive fire in the state's history," in relation to the estimated property losses.
Dry conditions are expected to keep the potential for large fires above normal "for the foreseeable future," as well, Greenhalgh said.
Barnes said she hopes the new restrictions will help reduce the number of human-caused starts.
"We can do something about this," she said. "People are the ones who are starting the fires. ... Prevention is not one big thing. It's a series of decisions that people make before a spark ever hits the ground."
Utah fire sense tips
- Check fire restrictions ahead of starting a campfire or doing any other activity that could spark a fire. It's also important to check for red flag warnings.
- Keep all fires to a manageable size. Never leave a fire unattended, and always have enough water available when extinguishing a campfire. Do not burn on windy days, and make sure you have tools to suppress a fire or communication ready before burning something.
- Use the "drown, stir and feel" method when putting out a campfire.
- Make sure there aren't any chains dragging on your vehicle and that your brakes and other vehicle parts are properly maintained.
- Never park on or drive over dry vegetation.
- Only target shoot in areas where it is allowed. Use an appropriate backdrop away from rocks or vegetation. Bring a shovel and water or a fire extinguisher with you when shooting outdoors.
- Exploding targets are not allowed on any public lands. Fireworks are also prohibited on all public lands.
- More tips can be found at utahfiresense.org.
