SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - It's fire season and almost the Fourth of July, which is why the Salt Lake City Fire Department is asking Utahns to look for possible dangers.
In Salt Lake City, firefighters say they haven't lost a home to a wildfire in more than a decade and they want to keep it that way. "This is probably the biggest fear we have in the city right now as far as wildfires, is this whole canyon," says Capt. Richard Boden who is worried about City Creek Canyon.
Fireworks are legal around the Fourth of July, but they're always concerned because any misdirected spark can create a fire that has the potential to destroy acres of land. "Be aware of what's going on, if you see anybody lighting fireworks in areas especially where they shouldn't be, boy, let us know," says Capt. Boden.
Salt Lake City firefighters are conducting routine patrols through wildfire "hot zones", but they're focused more on educating people.
Fireworks are legal on the three-days before and three-days after the Fourth, Pioneer Day on the 24th, New Year's Eve and Chinese New Year. But only Class-C state approved fireworks are permitted. That includes many things that make noise or create a display that doesn't go higher than 15 feet. However, you want to avoid bottle rockets, cherry bombs or anything that is discharged outward more than 10 feet on the ground.
"We're still very limited on where we can get our trucks, even then, the hoses can only go a certain distance. Once it's up in the hills, it's pretty tough to follow it," says Salt Lake City fireman Richard Montgomery.
Firefighters say a safe holiday means protecting yourself and your property. "Keep the brush back away from your house so it's not right up next to the house so there's an area and you're able to hold it. Because if you can hold it just for a little while, if it can be slowed for a little while, once we get there we can keep it from getting into the house," says Capt. Boden.
While they're legal right now, firefighters encourage people to let the professionals focus on fireworks. But if you do set them off, you're being asked to always light them in open areas.
