SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – As the Pioneer Day holiday approaches, Mayor Ralph Becker and the Salt Lake City Fire Department remind residents that City parks, watershed areas, wild land urban interface neighborhoods and other areas of heightened risk are off-limits to fireworks.
An extended spell of hot, dry weather has elevated public safety concerns in Salt Lake City and across the state, leading to a ban onfireworks use on all unincorporated land statewide. While the Mayor and fire officials continue to monitor local conditions, and further restrictions may be issued, residents are reminded to use common sense and follow established laws and guidelines – especially regarding where fireworks are prohibited in the City – as they plan celebrations.
Dry conditions in the City Creek and Parleys watersheds have also prompted Salt Lake City Public Utilities to ban all campfires in its managed recreation areas in City Creek Canyon, Affleck Park and George Washington Park. This is in addition to the current U.S. Forest Service’s Stage 1 fire restrictions that ban all campfires in the backcountry. Campfires are allowed in fire rings in USFS campsites in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. Salt Lake City urges all watershed visitors to comply with fire restrictions and use common sense given the public safety and watershed risks.
The Salt Lake City Fire Department has posted a searchable, interactive map showing prohibited areas across the City. Those sections include all areas east of Foothill Drive; the University of Utah campus; all areas north of South Temple to State Street and North Temple to 200 West; City Creek Canyon; City parks and all areas west 0f I-215. Go
HERE to view the map.
Also, new state law now limits fireworks use to three days on either side of both Independence Day and Pioneer Day. Windows for legal fireworks discharge are July 1-7 and July 21-27. Rules governing discharge require a clear, 30-foot radius from base of device and full overhead clearance.
The City strongly encourages residents to consider watching scheduled holiday fireworks displays permitted by the City in specific venues rather than taking unnecessary risks with the personal use of fireworks.
A complete listing of current regulations and valuable safety tips are available here:
http://www.slcfire.com/external/content/document/3687/1468339/1/Fireworks.pdf
http://www.fs.usda.gov/uwcnf/
