Utah declares fire emergency, restricts fireworks statewide ahead of July 4

Fireworks will be restricted statewide this Independence Day. Photo: Kew Li Wen // UnSplash

UTAH — Governor Spencer Cox declared a statewide fire emergency and announced new restrictions on fireworks as firefighters battle several large, fast-moving blazes across the state.

Speaking at a press conference alongside state and local officials, Cox said current conditions have created an “unprecedented” level of risk, driven by extreme drought, record-low snowpack, and rapidly spreading fires.

The executive order establishes a statewide default ban on fireworks through July 5. Under the order, municipalities, in consultation with local fire officials, may designate limited areas where fireworks may still be permitted.

The order does not currently extend to the July 24 Pioneer Day holiday, though Cox said conditions will be reassessed later in the summer.

“Nothing about this decision was easy,” Cox said. “But this year is different. We are seeing fire behavior that even our most experienced firefighters say they’ve never witnessed before. This is a temporary measure for an extraordinary year. It protects lives and homes while allowing local leaders, working alongside their fire officials, to identify areas where fireworks can be used safely.”

The order comes as several blazes continue to grow across the state. The Cottonwood Fire in Beaver County has exceeded 70,000 acres and is likely the most destructive wildfire in Utah’s recorded history in terms of property impact, according to Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands Director and State Forester Jamie Barnes.

Barnes said roughly 75 percent of wildfires this season are human-caused, citing debris burning, target shooting, dragging trailer chains, fireworks, and equipment sparks as common ignition sources.

Commissioner Beau Mason, who spoke at the conference, said enforcement efforts will increase across high-risk areas.

“We will seek those that cause damage from illegal fires and fireworks or that put lives in danger,” Mason said. “You can be held criminally liable. You can be held financially liable.”

Officials agreed the scale of current fires underscores the urgency of preventing new ignitions ahead of the holiday weekend. With crews spread thin, Cox emphasized that if there are multiple fire starts in the Great Basin, there will not be enough fire crews to combat the flames.

In Summit County, many municipalities and all unincorporated and state lands have already enacted fireworks bans as part of Stage One fire restrictions.

In neighboring Wasatch County, the Heber City Council is scheduled to meet Thursday evening to determine zones where private fireworks may be allowed.