Utah Bans July 4 Fireworks as Historic Red Flag Warning Fans 71,000-Acre Wildfires
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Jun 26
Utah Bans July 4 Fireworks as Historic Red Flag Warning Fans 71,000-Acre Wildfires
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Jun 26
Summary
Utah imposed a statewide fireworks ban through July 5 as emergency crews battled multiple fast-growing fires under the first Particularly Dangerous Situation red flag warning in NWS Salt Lake City history.
71,000 acres burned in the Cottonwood Fire near Beaver by Thursday, and gusty winds, drought and exceptionally dry fuels were expected to drive rapid growth through midnight Saturday.
27% contained, the Iron Fire had nearly destroyed Eureka, while new fires in Juab and Millard counties cut power, closed roads, triggered camper evacuations and threatened travel on Interstate 70.
Lowest-ever snowpack and an early runoff after a March heat wave deepened Utah's fire danger, prompting some cities including Provo to bar fireworks entirely with no designated safe-use areas.