Utah County Restricts Target Shooting Due To Fire Danger

SPANISH FORK, Utah – Utah County officials have issued an order closing parts of the county to target shooting after several wildfires and worsening fire conditions in the area.

The order closes all unincorporated private land and all state land directly west of Utah Lake, as well as all land on West Mountain above an elevation of 4,500 feet to steel ammunition, tracer ammunition and exploding targets.

At least seven wildfires have been tied to target shooting, and officials with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office said five of those were caused by individuals or groups using exploding targets.

NEW FIRE RESTRICTIONS IN UTAH COUNTY. Due to High fire danger & incidence of fires, a closure to some target shooting in areas shown. 100% of fire starts in these areas so far this year, related to target shooting. Check restrictions details statewide at: https://t.co/hvuztg2t6f pic.twitter.com/Wk14nFFhUU

— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) June 25, 2020

“By Utah County Code 13-2-16, exploding targets are prohibited within the unincorporated area of Utah County, including state and federal public lands except as specifically allowed by this code,” officials said.

The Soldier Pass Shooting Range will be opened as an alternative site beginning Saturday.

“Ongoing finish work on the remainder of the range will continue, but it is important to not use those areas as there is significant risk of ricochet injury because of the rock surface of the target area,” officials said. “Also, we strongly encourage all target shooters to be responsible by not using trash for targets, including old furniture TV’s, appliances, or anything else of that nature. We also want all target shooters to keep this range and any other legal target shooting areas clean by pickup up spent casing and target material.”

The closure will be reviewed and either renewed or rescinded every 14 days.