Stage 1 Fire Restrictions to take effect in northern Utah — Here’s what’s not allowed

SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — Across northern Utah, officials are implementing Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in response to the expected weather conditions — and the restrictions are set to go into effect on July 1.

On Sunday, June 30, Utah officials made the announcement that the Stage 1 restrictions would begin at 12:01 a.m. on July 1, and apply to the unincorporated private and state lands in the following counties:

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Incorporated cities and towns are not included in the restrictions, officials said.

"Once again, Utah received a lot of snow this year, resulting in new growth of grass and shrubs," Fire Management Officer Dustin Richards with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands said. "With all this additional vegetation, it only takes one spark to start a wildfire."

Those who violate the fire restrictions may be punished by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Local law enforcement officers will be enforcing the fire restrictions.

For a map of areas affected by the current fire restrictions, .

What is prohibited under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions?

"Human-caused wildfires are currently at their highest levels in the past three years," Richards said.

Utah Department of Natural Resources said that while the Stage 1 restrictions are in effect, Utahns are not allowed to do certain activities.

"Please be aware that fire restrictions vary among agencies and do not apply to incorporated cities," the DNR said in a press release. "Please check the specific fire restrictions with the respective land management agency before visiting."

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Utahns in unincorporated areas will not be allowed to use any fireworks while the restrictions are in place. Additionally, Utahns may not use tracer ammunition, exploding targets, or other pyrotechnic devices.

Having an open fire of any kind is not allowed, unless the fire is within "established public facilities in improved campgrounds or picnic areas" or is in a permanently constructed fire pit at private homes with running water available.

Smoking is also not allowed unless you are in a paved area or other location that is free from dry vegetation. The DNR said smoking is also permitted at a developed recreation site or inside an enclosed vehicle, trailer, or building.

If you are in an area of dry vegetation, you are not allowed to cut, weld, or grind metal. You are also not allowed to operate a motorcycle, ATV, chainsaw — or "other small internal combustion engine" — without a spark arrestor that works and has been approved.

Who is exempt from the restrictions?

According to documents, two groups of people are exempt from the fire restrictions.

The first group of people includes those who have a permit or waiver issued by the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. The permit should explicitly authorize a "specified act at a specific location," officials said.

However, officials said, "A waiver does not relieve the permittee of liability if a fire does occur."

The second group of people exempt from the restrictions includes on-duty firefighters who are performing their official duties.

A map of the fire restrictions for northern Utah can be viewed below. An interactive map is also available online .

Northern-Utah-fire-restriction-map-effective-July-1-2024 Download