New maps show where fireworks are restricted this summer

SALT LAKE CITY — With the start of summer comes concern over fireworks as cities work to fine-tune their fireworks restriction maps.

Salt Lake County Emergency Management and Unified Fire Authority have released a map showing where fireworks are prohibited in the county for 2022. The map will be updated as municipalities update their restrictions.

In Salt Lake City, the map was just finalized Wednesday, showing fireworks prohibited on much of the east, north, and west sides as well as a two-block perimeter along the Jordan River.

Last year the city had a complete ban on fireworks. This year, the Salt Lake City Fire Department plans to visit certain neighborhoods in the weeks leading up to July 4 to remind them about the restrictions and leave flyers with a QR code that links to the map.

In Lehi, the fire chief is finalizing this year’s map showing where fireworks are prohibited in the fast-growing city.

“We’re really looking at the west side of our city this year saying, ‘Should we keep that closed like we did last year?’” said Lehi Fire Chief Jeremy Craft.

Craft said residents last year answered the call to follow fire rules and he hopes they’ll be mindful of the restrictions again this year.

“I’m super hopeful that people will understand the situation,” Craft said. “We’re doing it for the safety of the community, not to take to away one person’s right to light off fireworks.”

Craft said all the homebuilding in his city has eliminated some of the open fields that were a concern last summer. However, the rainy spring has allowed grasses to grow.

“If it dries out there’s actually going to be a higher fuel volume out there for fires,” Craft said.

In South Jordan, the fire chief is also worried about all the grass and bushes that have been growing during the extended springtime moisture.

“Things are growing but they’re going to dry out very quickly,” said South Jordan Fire Chief Chris Dawson. “Higher fuels, denser fuels and they’re going to be very dry by July.”

South Jordan released its map in April showing that fireworks are banned in Daybreak and areas further west in the city, along with creek and river bottoms, open fields, and areas with a history of fires.

“All of those areas have a lot of fuel and have a lot of potential for extreme fire hazard, especially if there are any winds,” Dawson said. “If they’re wind-driven fires we have the potential to lose a lot of homes.”

Fireworks can be sold in Utah starting on June 24 and ending on July 25. However, fireworks can only be let off during four-day windows around the July 4 and July 24 holidays.

For the July 4 holiday, the discharge window starts on July 2 and runs through July 5. Fireworks are allowed from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on those days—except on July 4 when the time is extended until midnight.

For the July 24 Pioneer Day holiday, the fireworks discharge window starts on July 22 and runs through July 25 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. each day. Fireworks are also allowed an extra hour—until midnight—on July 24.

As the state updates its list of fireworks restriction maps, you’ll find them posted here.