ST. GEORGE — With the state set to celebrate Pioneer Day this Wednesday, Gov. Spencer Cox pleaded with Utahns to be smart about using fireworks during his monthly PBS press conference last week.
“So far, we have 552 wildfires that have burned about 40,000 acres,” Cox said last Friday. “Unfortunately, the vast majority of those fires – 409 – were caused by humans. From roadside starts caused by vehicles, careless target shooting – and we’ve seen a few from fireworks.”
As of Monday evening, Utah Fire Info reports that nearly 600 fires have burned 40,415 acres across the state, 427 of which were human-caused.
“I’m urging all Utahns … to please, please, please celebrate safely,” Cox continued. “Play it smart with fireworks.”
As fireworks are restricted in some areas, Cox asked people to check the rules in their towns and find out where they can use fireworks safely and without the threat of ignited dried-out grass or trees. He also asked Utahns to be mindful of personnel.
“Please keep these first responders in mind before you light fireworks or do anything that could cause a fire,” the governor said.
Fire restrictions have been imposed across Utah and the southwestern U.S. due to high temperatures, dry conditions and plentiful vegetation caused by a wet winter and spring. Invasive grasses, like cheatgrass, have dried out and are extremely flammable in the summer heat, threatening to turn the region into a tinder box.
According to the National Park Service, up to 85% of wildfires annually are caused by people and are preventable.
The use of fireworks is always prohibited on federally-managed lands. The state fire marshal and Color County Interagency Fire Center have also prohibited fireworks on all unincorporated private and state lands within Washington, Iron, Kane, Beaver and Garfield counties as a part of a recently issued Stage 1 fire restriction order. This order does not affect private lands within incorporated towns or city limits.
“Celebrate (Pioneer Day) without starting a fire and burning the state down,” Cox said.
General fire restrictions and banned fireworks
Stage 1 fire restrictions also cover the Arizona Strip and include:
- No campfires or open fires outside of agency-improved and maintained campgrounds and homesites in southwest Utah. Running water is required on cabins or homesites on unincorporated private land. Devices fueled by liquid petroleum are allowed.
- No discharging of fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices outside of incorporated city limits or on public lands (city-specific restrictions may apply). Fireworks are always prohibited on all federal lands.
- No shooting of exploding targets or tracer ammunition.
- No cutting, grinding or welding of metal in areas of dry vegetation. This includes acetylene torches.
- No use of equipment without a working and properly maintained spark arrestor (if
required). - No smoking near vegetation or outside of a developed recreation site, personal vehicle or building.
- No open fires of any kind are allowed in Zion National Park’s Watchman Campground (Stage 2 Fire Restrictions).
- Campfires are allowed in agency-improved and maintained campgrounds at Lava Point.
- Campfires are allowed at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in established campgrounds within established rings and below the high-water mark, only in areas completely void of vegetation.
Similarly, many towns and cities in southwest Utah have also enacted their own seasonal firework restrictions as a way to prevent human-caused fires, many of which can be found in the list below.
As for what types of fireworks are legal and illegal in Utah, the Cedar City website states that, in general, if fireworks are sold in Utah, they are legal to use in Utah. If you bought them outside of the state, there’s a possibility they aren’t legal and are even considered to be “dangerous explosives” under Utah law.
Fireworks banned in Utah:
- A firecracker, cannon cracker, ground salute, M-80, cherry bomb or similar explosive that mainly makes a loud bang rather than a visual effect.
- Fireworks utilizing a skyrocket or other missile-type rocket, including Roman candles and bottle rockets, as well as any rocket mounted on a wire or stick.
- A single shot or reloadable shell.
- An aerial salute, such as flash shells and comets, which mainly make a loud bang rather than a visual effect.
- A cake firework containing more than 500 grams of pyrotechnics.
Another reason to be responsible with fireworks is due to the costs that starting a fire with them could incur. Individuals found to have started a fire can be on the hook for covering the cost of putting out the fire on top of whatever fines and potential financial demands civil litigation may bring.
Setting off fireworks in restricted areas or outside of approved dates can also result in penalties. In St. George, for example, this can lead to a potential class B misdemeanor charge and a $1,000 fine.
In Utah, fireworks can be discharged between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. between July 2 and July 5 (extended to midnight on July 4), July 22 to July 25 for Pioneer Day (extended to midnight on July 24), and till 1 a.m. the nights of New Year’s Eve and Chinese New Year’s Eve.
Note: Tips on firework safety, how to treat firework-caused injuries and how to properly dispose of fireworks are featured at the bottom of the restriction list.
Washington County
Enterprise
The city has no restrictions on where legally purchased fireworks can be used.
Hurricane
Fireworks will only be allowed at the following parks and ballfields: The Spilsbury Sports Complex at 803 N. 200 West, American Legion Sports Complex at 802 N. 200 West, Three Falls Park at 889 S. 700 West and Dixie Springs Park at 3605 W. 2900 South.
Ivins and Santa Clara areas
Santa Clara-Ivins Fire and Rescue has issued firework restrictions for the two cities it serves. An interactive map of allowed and restricted areas can be found here.
In Ivins, neighborhoods that are allowed to use fireworks are mostly limited to the center of town, which is bordered by 400 East, 200 North, 400 West and Pioneer Parkway.
In Santa Clara, while some areas are restricted from fireworks usage — especially along Santa Clara Drive — fireworks are mostly allowed north of Crestview Drive and south of Pioneer Parkway.
In addition, along with residential fireworks that are restricted in Utah, sky lanterns or Asian-style mini hot air balloons made of paper are also prohibited.
LaVerkin
Personal fireworks are permitted on any city street as long as it is at least 100 feet from any hillside, as well as at Wanlass Park at 320 N. Main St. and Riverwood Park at 314 W. 900 North.
Pioneer Day activities in LaVerkin include a parade on Main Street starting at 8 a.m., followed by a free breakfast and games at the city park.
Springdale
Springdale prohibits the use of all fireworks in city limits. It is unlawful to ignite or discharge fireworks in the towns of Springdale and Rockville from June 1 through Sept. 15, according to a city ordinance.
St. George
Within St. George City limits, no fireworks or other ignition sources of any kind are to be used within 200 feet of the following areas:
- Dry washes and drainages.
- River and stream corridors.
- Hillsides, plateaus and mesa tops.
- Undeveloped open space or natural terrain.
Fireworks or other ignition sources are completely prohibited in the developments north of Snow Canyon Parkway on state Road 18, including The Ledges development.
A list of city parks where personal fireworks can be discharged can be found here. It should be noted that the Fields at Little Valley is no longer open to fireworks due to the recent installation of artificial turf.
An interactive map of where fireworks can and cannot be discharged in the St. George area can be found here.
Washington City
The city’s annual Pioneer Day celebration will start at 7 a.m. with a breakfast at the Lions Club followed by a parade down Telegraph Street at 8 a.m. Children’s booths will be set up at Veterans Park to enjoy afterward. A city-sponsored fireworks show is set to take place after 10 p.m.
Personal fireworks are permitted in many of the residential areas of Washington City, though restricted in hillside areas.
A map of the restricted and unrestricted areas can be found here.
Iron County
Cedar City
The Pioneer Legacy event, held at the Southern Utah University Eccles Coliseum in Cedar City, is free to the public. Doors open at 7 p.m. A pre-show starts at 8:15 p.m. The main event starts at 9:30 p.m., followed by fireworks.
For those who will be using personal fireworks to mark the holiday, this interactive map shows where fireworks can be legally set off in Cedar City and Enoch.
Areas in Cedar City where fireworks can be legally set off include:
- The south parking lot of Cedar High School at 703 W. 600 South in Cedar City.
- The parking lot at the Bicentennial Softball Complex at 661 W. 2045 North in Cedar City.
- The street between the Bicentennial Soccer Complex parking lots, which will be closed to traffic for the discharge dates.
- The Iron Springs Elementary parking lot at 235 N. 4050 West in Cedar City.
- The Canyon View High School parking lot at 166 W. 1925 North in Cedar City.
- The Aquatic Center parking lot at 2090 W. Royal Hunte Dr. in Cedar City.
Enoch
As per city ordinance, “the discharge of any and all fireworks including class C common fireworks is prohibited everywhere within the boundaries of Enoch City except at the Enoch City Office paved parking lot located at 900 East Midvalley Road and at Enoch Elementary School west paved parking lot located on Tomahawk Drive.”
Parowan
The only spot in Parowan where personal fireworks can be discharged is Lions Park, 145 S. 300 East.
Zion National Park
Fire restrictions were rolled out in Zion National Park in early June. They prohibit smoking near vegetation and building campfires in Watchman Campground. The restrictions will stay in effect until lifted by the park superintendent.
Fireworks are banned within the park.
Overall fire restrictions include bans on setting, building, maintaining, attending or using open fires of any kind in the park in general, and specifically campfires and charcoal fires within Watchman Campground or picnic areas in Zion Canyon. Stoves fueled by petroleum or liquid propane gas fuels are allowed.
No smoking is permitted in vegetated areas except within an enclosed vehicle or a developed recreation site or in an area devoid of vegetation at least 3 feet in diameter.
Violations are punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.
Mohave County, Arizona / the Arizona Strip
Fireworks are prohibited in unincorporated areas administered by the county (including Littlefield and Beaver Dam) and federally managed lands.
Fireworks safety tips courtesy of the city of St. George.
- Use only fireworks purchased in Utah from licensed dealers or retailers. If you purchased fireworks out of state, they are more than likely not legal in Utah. You will be cited if caught and will be responsible for paying for any damages and the cost to extinguish any fires that you cause.
- Use only with responsible adult supervision at all times.
- Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
- Light the fireworks in an open area and on a non-combustible surface such as a driveway or paved area.
- If windy conditions exist, do not light fireworks.
- Keep a bucket of water available.
- Handle used and “dud” fireworks with a shovel.
- Soak fireworks thoroughly in a bucket of water or with a hose prior to disposal.
- Keep clear while lighting fireworks do not lean over them at any time.
- Do not relight “dud” fireworks.
- Watch out for your pets and animals. Preferably, keep them indoors and away from the displays.
- Check for any restrictions that may apply to your area.
Treating firework-caused injuries, according to Intermountain Healthcare:
What is the first thing I should do if a burn occurs?
The most important thing to do first is make sure it is clean and dry. In all cases, you should be able to use a mild soap and lukewarm water to clean and sanitize the wound.
Are topical ointments recommended?
Using Neosporin or other topical ointment isn’t necessarily required in all situations. Sometimes, using it excessively can keep the wound moist and delay the healing process to some degree. If you initially cleaned the wound and can keep it clean and dry, you may not need an antibiotic ointment at all.
How can I manage the pain if I’ve been burned?
Most individuals with burns can manage their pain by taking ibuprofen or Tylenol at the recommended over-the-counter dosage. Some topical pain relievers, such as burn-free wipes, contain a light dose of numbing medication. Always be sure to follow the guidelines provided on the packaging of the pain-relieving medications.
When should I seek the help of a physician or practitioner for my burn?
As a general guideline, if the size of the wound is bigger than the palm of your hand it may need a second opinion or further evaluation. If the burn occurs around the eyes, nose, ears, toes and fingers — regardless of size — it’s recommended that a practitioner evaluate you – as the wound may become problematic. Lastly, if you notice symptoms of the wound becoming infected (such as increased pain, fever, streaking redness, etc.), you should see a physician.
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