Utah cities may have more power to ban fireworks

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Local governments soon may have more power to ban fireworks in areas where they could cause wildfire — but also may lose power to outlaw some types of fireworks that the state says are legal.

The Senate voted 24-0 on Thursday to pass HB289, which takes both of those steps.

Because it was amended, it goes back to the House for further consideration.

The House earlier passed the bill 73-1.

Its sponsor, Rep. Jim Dunnigan, R-Taylorsville, has said current state law gives local governments the power to ban fireworks in some mountainous and hilly areas, but his bill would give them more power to ban them in areas facing high risk of wildfire around undeveloped and agricultural areas.