The State Forester has implemented Stage 2 fire restrictions across all unincorporated state and private lands within Davis County to mitigate the risk of forest and rangeland fires. The order, announced by Davis County emergency management officials on July 16, 2026, responds to extremely dry vegetation conditions and forecasted weather patterns that increase the likelihood of wildfire ignitions.
Prohibited Fire Activities and Equipment Use
The Stage 2 restrictions are currently in effect for all unincorporated areas within the county and will remain active until officially rescinded by the Utah State Forester. According to Davis County emergency management, these measures apply specifically to state and private lands that fall outside of incorporated towns or city limits.
The order prohibits several high-risk activities, including the building, maintaining, attending, or using of campfires or stove fires. This prohibition extends to charcoal grills, barbecues, coal and wood-burning stoves, and tent stoves. These restrictions are applicable even when such fires are located at private homes or within developed camping and picnic grounds.
Enforcement and Legal Penalties
Beyond campfire restrictions, the Stage 2 order targets specific motorized and pyrotechnic activities known to trigger ignitions in dry landscapes. The mandate prohibits the use of fireworks, tracer ammunition, or any other pyrotechnic devices, including exploding targets. It also bars cutting, welding, or grinding metal in areas containing dry vegetation.
Motorized equipment use is also strictly regulated under the current order. Operating motorcycles, chainsaws, ATVs, or other small internal combustion engines is prohibited unless the equipment is equipped with an approved and functional spark arrestor. Additionally, smoking is restricted except when conducted within an enclosed vehicle, trailer, or building, or while stopped in a developed recreation site or on paved areas free from dry vegetation.
Wildfire Mitigation Strategies
County law enforcement is responsible for enforcing the Stage 2 restrictions. Violating any part of the fire restriction order is considered a violation of state law. Individuals found in breach of these regulations face significant legal consequences, including potential jail time of up to six months and fines reaching as high as $1,000.
Davis County officials emphasize that protecting homes, land, and the community is a shared responsibility. The county continues to promote wildfire preparedness through several mitigation strategies, such as maintaining firebreaks along the wildland-urban interface and conducting regular vegetation management by clearing deadwood and underbrush.
Air Quality and Burning Regulations
The current fire danger is part of a broader seasonal risk profile for the region. Davis County identifies high-risk areas near the Wasatch Mountain Range and other wildland-urban interfaces, where dry conditions and high winds can cause fires to spread rapidly. To combat these threats, the county works in partnership with local fire departments and the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands to implement Community Wildland Protection Plans (CWPP).
Residents are encouraged to create defensible space by clearing dead vegetation and flammable materials from around their homes. The county also promotes 'Firewise' landscaping, which utilizes fire-resistant plants and materials to reduce residential risk. For property owners seeking professional guidance, the county offers complimentary Firewise inspections to provide tailored recommendations for reducing wildfire hazards.
Reporting Environmental Concerns
While the Stage 2 order focuses on wildfire prevention, Davis County also maintains specific regulations regarding air quality and solid fuel burning. According to the Davis County Health Department, wood burning is restricted on Mandatory Action days and discouraged on Voluntary Action days. Solid fuel burning includes the use of fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves, outdoor fire pits, charcoal grills, smokers, and coal-burning stoves.
The health department utilizes infrared cameras to detect heat plumes and investigates all complaints regarding illegal burning. Residents can report solid fuel burning complaints online through the Davis County or Utah Division of Air Quality websites, or by calling the Davis County Health Department directly.
