ST. GEORGE – Due to recent rainfall associated with the monsoon weather pattern and the subsequent reduction in the risk of wildfire at the higher elevations, fire restrictions have been lifted in Dixie National Forest. The monsoonal moisture has affected some areas more than others in southwest Utah and northwest Arizona, it is therefore allowing fire officials to remove fire restrictions in some areas while in other areas fire restrictions are modified or remain unchanged. Here is a breakdown.
Lands administered by the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service’s Dixie National Forest (Pine Valley, Cedar City, Powell, and Escalante Ranger Districts)
All fire restrictions on Dixie National Forest lands currently in effect were lifted as of midnight last night. This only includes lands administered by the USDA Forest Service’s Dixie National Forest (Pine Valley, Cedar City, Powell, and Escalante Ranger Districts).
The Stage I fire restrictions were also lifted on Forest Service lands on all national forests in Utah at midnight last night.
Forest visitors are now allowed to have campfires or charcoal fires in all locations. While fire restrictions have been lifted in these areas, wildfire is always a risk. Visitors are encouraged to use appropriate methods to contain fires, build them in areas free of vegetation, and to be certain that fires are completely extinguished after use.
Note that discharging, or using any kind of fireworks, tracer ammunition or other incendiary devices in any location on federal lands is always prohibited.
Unincorporated Privately Owned and State Owned Lands in Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane and Washington Counties (Utah Division of Forestry Fire and State Lands)
Campfires are allowed at improved campgrounds and picinc areas in facilities provided for campfires as well as permanently improved places of habitation only. Campfires in unimproved or dispersed areas or as otherwise posted are prohibited.
The following acts remain prohibited:
• Smoking except in enclosed vehicle or building, or a developed recreation site or cleared areas of a minimum of three feet in diameter down to mineral soil.
• Discharging, or using any kind of fireworks, tracer ammunition or other pyrotechnic devices.
• The use of any steel-jacketed or steel-core ammunition of any caliber.
• Use of exploding targets that are detonated when struck by a projectile such as a bullet .
• Operating any motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, chainsaw or other type of small engines without an approved properly functioning spark arrester.
Incorporated towns and cities
These restrictions and modification of restrictions do not apply to incorporated towns and cities. Please contact the local fire agency for any restrictions that may apply in those areas.
The National Park Service, including Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, Cedar Breaks and Pipe Spring National Monuments, and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
On Park Service lands, igniting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire outside a fire structure (agency-approved fire pits and grills provided for in developed recreation sites and picnic areas) that is provided by the National Park Service within a designated area are all prohibited with the following exceptions:
• Watchman Campground and South Campground in Zion National Park will remain closed to campfires and charcoal fires due to the abundance of highly flammable cheat grass.
• Campfires and charcoal fires will continue to be allowed in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area below the high waterline in areas devoid of vegetation.
• Stoves or grills that are solely fueled by liquid petroleum fuels are allowed in all locations.
• Smoking outside an enclosed vehicle or building unless stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is clear of all flammable materials.
Discharging, or using any kind of fireworks, tracer ammunition or other incendiary devices in any location on federal lands is always prohibited.
Bureau of Land Management Color Country District and Arizona Strip District
The Districts have elected not to modify any of the current fire restrictions. The following acts will be prohibited until further notice:
• Setting, building, maintaining, attending, or using open fire of any kind (including charcoal) except as otherwise authorized. This includes all fires in developed areas and previously approved sites. Devices fueled by petroleum or liquid propane gas (LPG) products are allowed in all locations.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, camp trailer, or building, or while stopped in an area at least six feet in diameter that is barren or cleared to mineral soil.
• Discharging, or using any kind of fireworks, tracer ammunition, or other incendiary devices in any location on federal lands.
• Operating a motorcycle, chainsaw, ATV, or other types of small engines without an approved and working spark arrester.
• The cutting, welding or grinding of metal in areas of dry vegetation on federal lands within Washington County, Utah, and outside of an enclosed building on the Arizona Strip.
Bureau of Indian Affairs administered trust lands on the Shivwits Band and Kaibab Band Reservations
The following acts are currently prohibited on BIA administered lands:
• Igniting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire outside a fire structure that is provided within a designated area, (agency approved fire pits and grills provided for in developed recreation sites and picnic areas). Stoves or grills that are solely fueled by liquid petroleum fuels are allowed in all locations.
• Smoking outside an enclosed vehicle or building unless stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is clear of all flammable materials.
• Discharging, or using any kind of fireworks, tracer ammunition, or other incendiary devices in any location on federal lands.
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