OGDEN, Utah — The City of Ogden is the latest to implement new restrictions that prohibit the use of fireworks in certain areas ahead of the July 4 holiday.
"Orange Fire Restrictions" were put into place on Monday, and strictly ban the use of fireworks in restricted, high-risk areas along the east bench, river corridors, canyons, trails, vacant lots, and other dry vegetation areas.
Open flames, including wood-burning fire pits and outdoor fireplaces, are also prohibited in the restricted areas.
"Current environmental conditions have created a critical fire danger," the Ogden City Fire Department wrote.
"All it takes is one little spark and a whole neighborhood is gone," Ogden resident Janice Dhulst echoed in an interview with FOX 13 News.
Dhulst hopes to see the whole city under fireworks restrictions.
"We live just below Harrison Blvd., and it's amazing how many fireworks go off, all till 1 in the morning," she said.
Ogden officials shared that it could not prohibit the use of fireworks across the entire city because state code limits municipalities from enacting a complete ban during dates and times authorized by Utah law for the use of fireworks.
"We have been to orange level before, but usually it's the late summer months, like first of August, end of August timeframe — just when the fuels have had plenty of hot weather to dry out. We're seeing that much earlier this year," Ogden Fire Deputy Chief Matthew Hess said.
The city said the following items are still permitted during the restriction period:
- Gas fire pits and grills with flame-control features
- Charcoal grills with lids using commercial charcoal
- Smokers with lids and no ember exhaust powered by gas, electricity, or commercial pellets
