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BLM West Desert District rescinds seasonal fire restrictions

Exceptions for areas on West Mountain and Lake Mountains

Organization:

Bureau of Land Management

BLM Office:

West Desert District Office

Media Contact:

SALT LAKE CITY —The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) West Desert District rescinded fire prevention order UTW002-2022-01 today on BLM-managed lands within Box Elder, Cache, Juab, Millard, Morgan, Rich, Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele, Utah and Wasatch counties. Fire prevention order UTW002-2022-08 went into effect today on BLM-managed lands on West Mountain and Lake Mountains in Utah County. The public is encouraged to continue to use their “fire sense” to help prevent wildfire.

“Although we have seen a decrease in human-caused fires this fall, the right conditions still exist for a wildfire to occur. Our intent behind this specific restriction on West Mountain and Lake Mountains is the continued protection of the communities in close proximity to public lands,” said West Desert District Manager Michael Gates.

The following fire restrictions are rescinded within the BLM West Desert District:

  1. Use of any steel component ammunition of any caliber
  2. Use of any steel component target
  3. Use of any sky lanterns, Chinese lanterns, fire balloons, acetylene balloons or similar device
  4. Use of any Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) that is not equipped with a properly installed and maintained spark arrestor

The following restrictions are in effect until rescinded in the following Utah County locations, West Mountain and Lake Mountains:

  1. Use of any steel core, jacketed, and tipped ammunition of any caliber

The following restrictions remain in effect year-round:

  1. The non-commercial use/discharge of explosives of any kind, incendiary or chemical devices, pyrotechnic devices, exploding targets, pressurized containers or canisters and binary explosives
  2. Use/discharge of fireworks
  3. Use of any tracer or incendiary ammunition of any caliber

To prevent a wildfire, the public should:

  • Fully extinguish campfires and avoid building fires when winds are 15 mph or higher
  • Choose a target shooting backstop free of rocks and dry grass – any bullet hitting rocks can create a spark
  • Avoid target shooting in hot, dry and windy conditions
  • Avoid cutting, welding or grinding of metal in areas of dry vegetation
  • Check to make sure trailer chains are not dragging and are secure to prevent sparks
  • Fully extinguish and properly dispose of cigarettes
  • Avoid parking a hot vehicle over dry grass

For more information on preventing unwanted human-caused wildfires, agency-specific restrictions and reference maps, visit www.utahfiresense.org, www.utahfireinfo.gov and blm.gov. For additional information, contact Melanie McDaniels, Seasonal Public Affairs Specialist – West Desert District Fire, at 801-320-8255.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.