The Bureau of Land Management implemented new fire restrictions in several Utah districts on June 12, 2026, to mitigate risks from extreme drought and high fire danger conditions.
Specific prohibited activities and locations
Under a new prevention order effective June 12, 2026, the BLM prohibited building or maintaining campfires using solid fuels, smoking outside of vehicles, and metal grinding or welding in Garfield, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier, and Wayne counties. The West Desert District also entered new restrictions on June 12, 2026, prohibiting the use of ammunition with steel component projectiles, sky lanterns, and any off-highway vehicles lacking properly installed spark arrestors.
Goals of the new restrictions
The Bureau of Land Management noted that these restrictions aim to prevent human-caused wildfires resulting from increased public land use and drought. Existing prohibitions in the Color Country district, which include bans on campfires and smoking outside vehicles in Beaver, Washington, and Iron counties, have remained in effect since May 22, 2026.
New wildfire management program expansions
In related wildfire management efforts, the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands announced an expansion of its wildfire aviation program to include a helitack program for better fire assessment. Additionally, the division previously reported receiving over $5.5 million in Community Wildfire Defense Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Success of fire prevention campaigns
State and federal authorities have previously highlighted the success of the Fire Sense prevention campaign, which was honored with a bronze Smokey Bear Award. The Bureau of Land Management continues to urge the public to use Fire Sense tools to help prevent human-caused wildfires.
