SALT LAKE CITY — Fireworks sales began Tuesday in Utah ahead of the July 4 and Pioneer Day holidays, just as concerns over the multiple destructive wildfires burning around the state continue to rise.
Starting Tuesday, vendors can now sell state-approved fireworks at various locations, although they cannot be set off until the calendar moves closer to the holidays. Current sales will be allowed through July 25.
The window to discharge personal fireworks has been cut back to the following 8 days:
- JULY 2-5 (Between 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., midnight on 7/4)
- JULY 22-25 (Between 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., midnight on 7/24)
Although the holidays are a popular time to set off fireworks, the concern this year stems from the dry conditions seen around Utah, which is the fuel for quick fire starts. As of Tuesday, three large wildfires are burning in the southern portion of the state, including the Forsyth Fire that has destroyed over a dozen homes and remains 0% contained.
Firefighters' homes among those lost to destructive Forsyth Fire in southern Utah:
While visiting the area affected by the Forsyth Fire over the weekend, Gov. Spencer Cox implored Utah residents and visitors to be safe with fireworks and consider ditching them altogether in hopes of keeping the state fire-free.
"I just can't emphasize it enough. This is one of those years where... go to the big fireworks show, the professional displays, and just hold off on your personal fireworks," Cox said.
Cheyenne Blackburn and her two young children were quick to spot the flashy display of fireworks when they walked into the Gunnison Market on Tuesday.
Cheyenne held off from buying anything right now, but says they will eventually; however, they are very aware of their current conditions and put safety at the forefront,
"We just make sure we aren’t letting them light them, we just stay back, let an adult be there, have water nearby in case anything goes, you know, haywire," Blackburn said. "We know it’s dry around and we make sure we’re not by anything dry or anything that can catch on fire."
The Gunnison Valley Fire Department is hoping that, now more than ever, people are smart when it comes to lighting fireworks at home.
"The Gunnison Valley Fire Department has always had the aspect of have fun, be smart, enjoy the time with your family, but be responsible and be prepared. With as dry as everything is, we’re already off to a pretty fast start," explained Gunnison Asst. Fire Chief Zack Jensen.
Fireworks are prohibited on federal land, but this year, they are also banned from state and unincorporated private land. Many municipalities also have their own restrictions.
But Jensen also warns, "Even if you’re within city limits, your neighbors might have a bunch of dry grass. A field might be dry next to you. You’ve just got to think of all the circumstances that could cause it to go south in a hurry!
"Even here in our small area, we’ve had lots of fires within city limits, just dry grass, dry fields, dry weeds next to their house, and it happens in a hurry."
Jensen explained why this year's current tinderbox should make you even more cautious.
"We haven’t had precipitation in 30 days plus now!" he said. "Yeah, the RH’s relative humidities are extremely low. We’ve had a lot of Red Flag warnings. We’re having temperatures more like the end of July and August."
Officials ask anyone who chooses to light personal fireworks to do so in clear, open spaces that are away from structures and dry vegetation, and to have a water source nearby to quickly douse any flames.
Those found guilty of discharging fireworks during the legal time periods face a fine of up to $1,000.
Below is a map showing the Fireworks Restriction areas for Salt Lake County and Eagle Mountain in Utah County:
