On the first day Utahns can legally set off fireworks, Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams and Unified Fire Authority Chief Dan Peterson urged caution — reminding residents to read cautionary labels, always have a bucket of water or a hose nearby and to use fireworks in a clear area away from building and vehicles.
Unified Fire Authority (UFA) is reporting that fire danger this month is significantly increased due to hot, dry, windy conditions.
The counsel comes after a number of incidents in Salt Lake County in 2016, when fire department dispatchers reported nearly 70 fireworks-related calls from the night of Independence Day through to the next morning.
This year, residents can legally set off fireworks from July 2 - July 5 and again July 22-26 — but not in all areas. Salt Lake County has restricted use in a number of places, including in mountainous, brush-covered or areas and within 200 feet of waterways, trails and canyons. A full list of the restrictions can be found on UFA’s website.
Salt Lake City bans fireworks east of 900 East, west of Redwood Road, north of South Temple and in all city parks.