Fire Danger Prompts Increased Fire Restrictions in Southeastern Utah

Southeastern Utah is experiencing hazardous fire conditions due to prolonged drought and extremely dry vegetation. Weather forecasts and wildland fire prediction models point to increased fire danger. As a result, on Friday, June 15, 2018, all Bureau of Land Management, United States Forest Service, National Park Service, State of Utah and unincorporated private lands in the following areas will increase fire restrictions:
• State lands and unincorporated private lands in Carbon, Emery, Grand and San Juan Counties.
• BLM Moab, Monticello and Price Field Office areas located in Carbon, Emery, Grand and San Juan Counties.
• NPS including Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, and Natural Bridges and Hovenweep National Monuments.
• USFS Moab and Monticello Ranger Districts of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, areas within Grand and San Juan Counties in Utah, and Mesa and Montrose Counties in Colorado.
New restriction orders supersede all previous restriction orders for all participating agencies and will be in place until the fire hazard subsides. Maps and more specific information about the fire restrictions may be found on the interagency Utah Fire Info website.
Fire restriction orders are specific to each agency and may contain different stipulations, but all the orders have the following prohibited acts in common:
1. No campfires (wood or charcoal) anywhere including designated campgrounds.
2. No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area that is paved, barren, or cleared to mineral soil.
3. No metal cutting, welding or grinding activities in areas of dry vegetation.
4. No discharging or using any kind of fireworks, steel tipped/core ammunition, tracer ammunition or other pyrotechnic devices including exploding targets.
5. Permissible acts- Devices fueled by petroleum or liquid propane gas (LPG) products with a shut-off valve are allowed in areas clear of flammable vegetation within 3 feet of the device.
For more information about fire restrictions, wildfires, fire prevention, and fuels treatment projects, please visit www.utahfireinfo.gov. As a general practice always extinguish campfires, dispose of cigarettes properly, stay on established roads and trails to avoid dry vegetation, and ensure trailer chains don’t drag or create sparks. Being fire-wise helps prevent wildfires, keeps families safe, protects communities and reduces unnecessary risk to fire fighters.