Fire Officials Asking Public To Skip Personal Fireworks This July 4th

ST. GEORGE — Amid one of the worst droughts in Utah history, government officials around the state are asking you not to light off your own fireworks this Independence Day holiday.

According to data from utahfireinfo.gov, Utah has already seen 508 wildfires this year in an especially early and dry fire season. Fires have burned 58,000 acres of land so far, and the worst months of the fire season are yet to come.

Due to the especially flammable conditions many counties and cities around the state have put in place restrictions on where fireworks can be ignited, some banning them altogether.

Saying he would put a ban in place if he could, Governor Spencer Cox said in a press conference “I’m imploring you, each of you, to do the right thing. And the right thing this year is to put your personal fireworks away.”

As an alternative, many cities around the state are putting on firework displays of their own, including St. George. The city of St. George will put on a fireworks show Saturday, July 3rd at 10:00 pm on the campus of Dixie State University.

You really should not light off your own fireworks this year. The fine for lighting fireworks in a prohibited area could be up to $1000, plus any damages if you accidentally light something on fire.

But if you must, or if you are unable to dissuade someone you know from engaging in some personal pyrotechnics, make sure you are in one of the areas approved by the city.

Where Can I Light Off Fireworks This Year?

Washington County: Here is an interactive map. All of Washington County, including BLM land and state and national parks, is off limits for fireworks. Except parts of:

Enterprise: No fireworks restrictions inside city limits. See the Washington County interactive map for more details.

Ivins: Restriction map here

Santa Clara: See page 13 of the Washington County map

St. George: Interactive map here.

Washington: Interactive map here

All other cities in Utah: List of all fire restrictions by city

More Firework Safety Information

This website from the city of St. George also has a lot of great information about firework safety. From the city website:

“As you are aware, the State of Utah, Bureau of Land Management, National Forest Service, and many other state and federal agencies have restricted the use of fireworks in all unincorporated areas of the state.  Due to the extreme fire danger that exists in the southwestern region of Utah, the St. George Fire Chief signed an order prohibiting fireworks or other ignition sources in designated areas of the City. 

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

 The use of fireworks or other ignition sources is completely prohibited in the development north of Snow Canyon Parkway on State Road 18, including The Ledges’ development.

Prohibited activities include:

• No discharge of fireworks within the areas listed
• No firecrackers, cherry bombs, roman candles, bottle rockets, single or reloadable mortars, or other Class “C” fireworks not State of Utah approved.
• Recreational fires, unless the location is approved by the fire department (click here for recreational burning regulations)
• Welding, cutting, or grinding within the areas listed, unless approved by the fire department.
• No sky lanterns.

Fireworks or other ignition sources restrictions are in effect, and it is important that you understand which locations throughout the city are restricted and considered dangerous for personal fireworks use.  We hope that you find this webpage useful in identifying these areas.  Local fireworks retailers will also have maps available for you to view.  Your help in keeping our community safe this holiday season is very much appreciated.”

If you have any questions about fireworks or firework safety, call the St. George Fire Department at 435-627-4150. 

It is this reporter’s opinion that it is much safer, simpler, cheaper, and smarter to just skip the personal fireworks this year and watch the show put on by the city. I’ll see you there!