Open campfires and smoking are restricted on designated state and federal lands beginning on Friday, May 25, as drought conditions persisting in southeastern Utah heighten the risk of wildfires.
The announcement was made on May 21 by Utah Interagency Fire Cooperating Agencies.
All state, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), United States Forest Service (USFS) and National Park Service (NPS) lands, and all unincorporated private lands in the following areas are being placed under fire restrictions:
• State lands and unincorporated private lands in Grand and San Juan counties.
• BLM Moab and Monticello Field Office areas located in Grand and San Juan counties.
• NPS lands to include Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, Natural Bridges National Monument and Hovenweep National Monument.
• USFS Moab and Monticello Ranger Districts of the Manti-La Sal National Forest areas within Grand and San Juan counties.
The restrictions will be in place until the fire hazard subsides.
The 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, except in permanently constructed cement or metal fire pits provided in developed campgrounds and picnic areas.
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. Metal cutting, welding and grinding activities in areas of dry vegetation as well as discharging, or using any kind of fireworks, firing steel tipped/core ammunition, tracer ammunition or other pyrotechnic devices including exploding targets, are prohibited without prior written authorization and special permits.
Everyone can help by heeding the restrictions and practicing fire safety when camping and recreating outdoors.
Completely extinguish campfires, dispose of cigarettes properly, stay on established roads and trails to avoid dry brush and grass, and ensure trailer chains don’t drag or create sparks.
Being fire-wise helps prevent wildfires, keeps families safe, and reduces unnecessary risk to firefighters.
In March, the BLM in Utah accomplished its one millionth-acre of fuels treatment since 2001 and the inception of the National Fire Plan. The plan includes prescribed fire and mechanical and chemical treatment. Overall through FY2017, there have been 2,045 treatments completed within Utah with 240 wildfire intersections being reported that meet BLM standards.
For more information about fire restrictions, wildfires, fire prevention, and fuels treatment projects, please visit www.utahfireinfo.gov.
To report a wildfire, contact the Moab Interagency Fire Center (MIFC) at 435-259-1850.
Persistent drought, dry vegetation create high fire risk
