As a result of late summer rains and slightly cooler temperatures, on Sept. 5 the Bureau of Land Management, United States Forest Service, National Park Service and the State of Utah lifted fire restriction orders.
Fire restrictions on state lands and unincorporated private lands in Carbon, Emery, Grand and San Juan counties are being lifted, as are the restrictions on lands within the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Moab, Monticello and Price Field Office areas in Carbon, Emery, Grand and San Juan counties.
Fire restrictions are being lifted on National Park Service (NPS) lands, including Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, and Natural Bridges and Hovenweep National Monuments.
The U.S. Forest Service Moab and Monticello Ranger Districts of the Manti-La Sal National Forest will also lift fire restrictions for areas within Grand and San Juan counties in Utah, and Mesa and Montrose counties in Colorado.
Fire managers said they are very pleased with the positive response and public cooperation in adhering to this year’s fire restrictions, and added that the public’s cooperation helps to save lives and property.
The areas are still included in the fire season, and vegetation may once again dry out as fall approaches, so fire managers said it is still important to take precautions and practice fire safety.
Hot exhaust pipes and sparks from vehicles and campfires are some of the most easily preventable causes of wildfire, and fire managers said to carry a shovel, water, a bucket or a fire extinguisher when working or camping on public lands.
They also instruct people to always drown and stir fires to ensure they are completely out before leaving a camp; keep vehicles in good working order, stay on designated roads and trails to avoid igniting dry vegetation with hot exhaust; and keep all chains and straps secured so they don’t drag on the ground and cause sparks.
Other areas in Utah may still have fire restrictions for campfires, fireworks and using steel core/jacketed ammunition.
Fire Prevention Order UT910-14-001 is permanently in effect for all BLM lands in the state and prohibits the use/discharge of any kind of fireworks, explosives, incendiary, chemical devices,
pyrotechnics and exploding targets.
Land managers say it’s still important to take precautions
