Fire Prevention Order issued for BLM-managed lands in northwestern Utah
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West Valley City, Utah—The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) West Desert District has issued a fire prevention order that addresses seasonal and year-round fire restrictions. These restrictions apply to BLM-managed lands within the counties of Box Elder, Cache, Juab, Millard, Morgan, Rich, Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele, Utah, Wasatch, and Weber.
“Northwestern Utah has experienced one of the driest springs on record; we are seeing relative humidity levels and conditions similar to mid-July,” said Erik Valdez, West Desert District Fire Management Specialist. “Thick mats of unburnt fuel from last year coupled with this year’s fuels and vegetation drying faster than normal has significantly increased the risk of accidental wildfires.”
The fire prevention order prohibits the use of steel-core, steel-jacketed, or steel-tipped ammunition from June 15 through September 30. Year-round restrictions include prohibition of fireworks, exploding targets, tracer and incendiary ammunition, sky lanterns or similar devices, and operating off-highway vehicles without spark arresters.
The BLM asks target shooters to know their ammunition before visiting public lands. Ammunition packaging may not indicate the presence of steel in the bullet, especially in military surplus and foreign-made ammunition. To determine whether a bullet contains steel, test with a magnet. Orange or red painted tips may indicate tracer ammunition which can ignite flammable substances, such as dry grass, upon contact.
BLM and the U.S. Attorney’s Office often deal with wildfires in Utah caused by fireworks and exploding targets. With Utah’s hot, dry summers, fires are easily started in dry grass on BLM-managed lands. A defendant has been issued a summons to appear in federal court in connection with the recent Tabby Canyon Fire on Stansbury Island, which was started by an exploding target used during target shooting. He faces a Class A misdemeanor for violating a fire prevention order – which subjects him to up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine. This is one of several pending cases, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The BLM urges everyone to leave these devices at home while visiting public lands.
The BLM also recommends OHV users check their exhaust system yearly to ensure the spark arrester is mounted securely and is qualified.
The prevention order can be viewed online at: https://utahfireinfo.gov/active-fire-restriction-documents/, and on signs where BLM-managed lands are accessed in the 12 counties affected. The public is reminded to use caution and be prepared to prevent wildfires when visiting public lands. Please keep water, a shovel, and a fire extinguisher handy during the dry summer months.
For more details on the prevention order, contact the West Desert District Office at 801-977-4300. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.
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.