LOCAL NEWS

Fire Chiefs Remind Utahns Of Fireworks Rules For July 24th Holiday

Jul 20, 2021, 6:18 PM | Updated: Jul 14, 2023, 2:17 pm

LEHI, Utah – Two Utah fire chiefs urged residents to use the same level of caution and compliance with fireworks for the upcoming Pioneer Day holiday as they did over the Fourth of July.

“Continue to do what you did over the Fourth,” said Fire Chief Clint Smith with the Draper City Fire Department. “We can’t let our guard down by any means. The threat still exists. The threat is still significant and very real.”

In areas where fireworks are permitted, Utah law allows them to be discharged starting on Thursday, July 22, through Sunday, July 25, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day. On the actual holiday, July 24, the discharge time is extended until midnight.

Ahead of July 4, many Utah cities enacted fireworks restrictions that remain in place for the July 24 holiday.

Smith said drought conditions have only worsened since the beginning of the month.

“Our fuels have continued to dry out,” he said. “They were already extremely dry, so what little moisture level they had left in them is now gone.”

On Monday, Fire Chief Jeremy Craft with the Lehi Fire Department walked the area on Traverse Mountain where there was a fireworks-caused blaze last summer and said the hillside is prime to burn again.

“It’s incredibly dry up there,” said Craft. “It’s way drier that even when the fire started at Traverse.”

Craft said the entire city is drier than it was over the Fourth of July and encouraged residents to skip a year with fireworks and go see a professional show instead.

“Even when you drive around town, our residents’ lawns are getting drier because they’re adhering to the water restrictions,” Craft said. “I think we’re even more volatile now than we were at the Fourth.”

The Traverse Fire prompted evacuations in Lehi and Draper in the middle of the night.

Chiefs Smith and Craft said they never want to have that situation again.

“Generally, a fire has to expend some of its energy in actually drying out the fuel to make it be able to burn,” Smith explained. “Our fires don’t have to do that right now. The fuels are ready to burn. They can expend all of their energy on fire growth, which makes for really explosive conditions.”

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...

Matt Gephardt

How hoarding documents puts you at risk for identity theft

Someone who knows what they’re doing can do a whole lot of damage with the scraps of paper you’ve stashed in filing cabinets, drawers and other various hiding places around your house.

7 hours ago

Dilawar Syed, Deputy Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration and the highest-ranki...

Erin Cox

Highest ranking Muslim in the U.S. visits Utah to help small businesses

Dilawar Syed, Deputy Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration and the highest-ranking Muslim in the U.S. paid a visit to the Beehive State Tuesday.

7 hours ago

The Burger King where Taylorsville Police arrested Rodolfo Martinez-Avila. (KSL TV)...

Pat Reavy, KSL .com and Garna Mejia, KSL TV

Police: Abused homeless 4-year-old boy gets help, thanks to fast food workers

A 4-year-old boy and a 6-month-old baby were helped by Burger King employees who called police after they realized the children were homeless and being abused.

8 hours ago

Handcuffs in a jail cell. (Ravell Call/Deseret News)...

Mary Culbertson

Inmate found unresponsive in Cache County Jail, pronounced deceased at scene

An inmate at Cache County Jail was found unresponsive in his cell, and pronounced dead.

9 hours ago

FILE - Chad Daybell is on trial for the murders of his wife Lori Vallow Daybell's two children, Jos...

Lauren Steinbrecher

Defense: Chad Daybell didn’t steal money from wife’s dead children

Chad Daybell's trial continues on Day 5, as the court discussed evidence that possibly connects Daybell to insurance fraud, with funds that were meant for Lori Vallow Daybell's murdered children.

9 hours ago

Délice French Bakery and Café is getting ready for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Italy, the home co...

Shelby Lofton

French bakery in Utah ramping up for Paris 2024 Summer Olympics

The owner of Délice French Bakery and Café in Salt Lake City is preparing for the Olympics in his home country.

11 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Fire Chiefs Remind Utahns Of Fireworks Rules For July 24th Holiday