Box Elder County enters Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

Box Elder County, Utah – Due to the current and expected weather conditions and the drying of vegetation in northern Utah, fire managers are implementing Stage 1 Fire Restrictions beginning July 1, at 12:01 a.m. on all unincorporated private and state lands in Box Elder, Cache, Rich, Weber, Tooele, Utah, Salt Lake, Davis, and Morgan Counties. Incorporated cities and towns are not included. Please contact your local fire department or county fire warden for specific private land fire restrictions.

Restrictions Include:

• Open Fires: Prohibited except in established public facilities in improved campgrounds or picnic areas, or in permanent fire pits at residences with running water.
• Smoking: Allowed only within enclosed vehicles, trailers, buildings, developed recreation sites, or areas that are paved or free from dry vegetation.
• Fireworks and Pyrotechnics: Strictly banned, including tracer ammunition and exploding targets.
• Metal Work: No cutting, welding, or grinding metal in areas of dry vegetation.
• Small Engines: Must have an approved and working spark arrestor to operate motorcycles, chainsaws, ATVs, etc.

Fire Management Officer Dustin Richards with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, emphasizes the importance of these measures, stating, "Human-caused wildfires are currently at their highest levels in the past three years. Once again, Utah received a lot of snow this year, resulting in new growth of grass and shrubs. With all this additional vegetation, it only takes one spark to start a wildfire."

Stay informed, stay safe, and help keep our be-UTAH-ful Box Elder County fire-free!

Please be aware that fire restrictions vary among agencies and do not apply to incorporated cities. Check the specific fire restrictions with the respective land management agency before visiting.

For more details, visit http://utahfireinfo.gov.