Wasatch County has adopted stage 2 fire restrictions following forecasts that indicate an increased risk of wildfires due to weather conditions. These new rules apply to all unincorporated areas within the county.
Under the new restrictions, building, maintaining, attending, or using any fire, campfire, or stove fire is prohibited. This prohibition includes charcoal grills, barbecues, coal and wood burning stoves, and tent stoves, regardless of whether they are used at homes or in developed camping and picnic grounds.
Smoking is restricted to use within an enclosed vehicle, trailer, or building, at a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area that is paved or free from dry vegetation. Additionally, the discharge or use of fireworks, tracer ammunition, or other pyrotechnic devices, such as exploding targets, is prohibited.
Other prohibited activities include cutting, welding, or grinding metal in areas containing dry vegetation. Furthermore, operating a motorcycle, chainsaw, ATV, or other small internal combustion engine without a working and approved spark arrestor is forbidden.
These restrictions do not affect private lands located within city limits or incorporated towns.
Certain exemptions have been established for these prohibitions. Devices that use gas, pressurized liquid, or pellets—such as grills, stoves, or lanterns—are permitted if they include shutoff valves and are used at least three feet away from flammable materials like pine needles or grasses.
Exemptions also apply to individuals with a permit or waiver issued by the Division that specifically authorizes a particular act at a specific location, though a waiver does not relieve a permittee of liability if a fire occurs. On-duty firefighters performing official duties are also exempt from these restrictions.
The decision to move to stage 2 restrictions was driven by forecasted weather conditions that increase the risk of wildfires in the region.
