New Fire Restrictions Announced Ahead Of Memorial Day Weekend

SALT LAKE CITY — With wildfire season already off to a hot start this year, the Bureau of Land Management announced new fire restrictions for southwestern Utah.

The new restrictions take effect in five counties that include Washington, Kane, Garfield, Iron and Beaver starting Wednesday.

Fire restrictions are also in effect for Zion National Park and Fishlake National Forest was excluded from the restrictions.

It is unlawful to set off any fireworks in Utah until July 2 and fireworks are never allowed on U.S. Forest Service, BLM or National Park Service lands.

Here is the list of stage one restrictions according to utahfireinfo.gov:

• No open fires of any kind except within established public facilities in improved campgrounds, picnic areas OR in permanently constructed fire pits at private home sites where running water is present.
• No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer, or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area that is paved or free from dry vegetation.
• No fireworks, tracer ammunition or other pyrotechnic devices, including exploding targets.
• No cutting, welding or grinding metal in areas of dry vegetation.
• No operating a motorcycle, chainsaw, ATV or other small internal combustion engines without an approved and working spark arrestor.