Press Release
Due to current and forecasted weather conditions coupled with the extremely dry conditions in Southeast Utah, the State Forester, in consultation with the County Commission in each affected county, has determined that measures must be taken to prevent the ignition of forest and rangeland fires. Therefore, pursuant to Utah State Law, Section 65A-8–2 12, the following acts are prohibited in the areas described below until rescinded by the Utah State Forester:
1. No igniting, building, maintaining or using a fire, including charcoal and briquettes.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area that is paved or free from dry vegetation.
3. Discharging or using any kind of fireworks, tracer ammunition or other pyrotechnic devices including exploding targets.
4. Cutting, welding or grinding metal in areas of dry vegetation.
5. Operating a motorcycle, chainsaw, ATV or other small internal combustion engine without an approved and working spark arrestor.
Any of the above acts is a violation of state law and punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
The following persons are exempted from the above prohibitions:
1. Persons with a permit or waiver specifically authorizing a specified act at a specific location.
2. Any on-duty firefighter in the performance of an official duty.
Area Description:
All unincorporated private and all state lands within the following area(s): San Juan, Grand, Emery and Carbon counties. This order does not affect private lands within incorporated towns or city limits.
Effective Date:
12:01 a.m., Friday, June 15, 2018