Park City council will consider a resolution banning open flames and fireworks beginning May 1. Photo: Hugo Menvi // Unsplash

PARK CITY, Utah — Park City officials are considering implementing fire restrictions more than a month earlier than usual, citing forecasts of extreme drought and heightened wildfire risk heading into the summer season.

A proposed resolution would prohibit open flames and fireworks within city limits beginning May 1 and running through October 31. Council will vote on the resolution at their meeting on Thursday.

In recent years, restrictions have typically been enacted later in the season. In 2025, fire restrictions began June 15, while in 2023 and 2024 they were not put in place until mid-July.

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The earlier timeline reflects worsening environmental conditions, according to a city staff report, which cites “existing hazardous environmental conditions, increased fine fuel loading, rising temperatures, along with forecasted weather data and dropping fuel moisture content of live and dead vegetation” as factors driving the recommendation.

Under city code, the Park City Fire Marshal has the authority to recommend restricting ignition sources when conditions warrant. The City Council has used that authority to enact seasonal fire restrictions each of the past five years.

“Wildfire remains Park City’s most likely and potentially most dangerous natural hazard,” the staff report states, warning that a major fire could impact thousands of homes and businesses and lead to long-term economic and social consequences.

If approved, the restrictions would apply across the city, in mountainous and brush-covered areas, as well as in wildland-urban interface zones where development meets open space.

The early resolution comes after Summit County council also voted to begin fire restrictions on May 1.

The recommendation was developed with input from the Park City Fire District, the city’s police chief, and emergency management staff.