Emily Anderson SternTrying to prevent an already devastating wildfire season from worsening, Utah’s Republican Gov. Spencer Cox last week ordered statewide firework restrictions over July Fourth weekend.
But one GOP state lawmaker, who co-owns a firework business, took to social media to encourage Utahns to go ahead with pyrotechnic celebrations anyway in a post shared hours before Cox announced the order. And after this story was first published, the West Calley City Republican later said he doesn’t want people to defy the governor — although he still believes Cox has overstepped his legal authority with the order.
“The governor has no authority to ban fireworks, and Utah has legalized fireworks, including aerials,” wrote Rep. Matt MacPherson on X. “If you follow the law, act responsibly, there is little danger of causing major fires within city limits.”
MacPherson told followers he is a “professional firework display operator” and “owner of a firework manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer” who has “designed and shot dozens of large scale professional displays across the state.” The safest place to light fireworks, he argued, is “inside city boundaries.”
“As we approach the 250th anniversary of America, and fireworks have long been a tradition of the founding of our nation, I would encourage you to celebrate!,” the lawmaker wrote.
The representative concluded the June 25 post, “Those that choose to use fireworks dangerously or illegally will not follow any regulations, laws, bans or common sense with fireworks anyways. Enjoy your Fourth of July, be safe, celebrate this great nation legally as you see fit!”
Cox’s executive order grants temporary authority to the state forester to prohibit fireworks from July 2-5, while allowing cities and towns to designate areas where personal fireworks may be used in consultation with local fire officials.
After this story was first published, MacPherson told The Salt Lake Tribune that some have tried to twist his remarks about Cox’s executive order “into something they were never intended to be.”
The Republican lawmaker argued, through a Utah House of Representatives spokesperson, that he has “consistently” supported emergency restrictions and also believes Cox overstepped his legal authority.
“The claim that I have encouraged anyone to violate the executive order is simply false. Criticizing government overreach is not the same as encouraging people to ignore the law, no matter how hard some want to pretend otherwise,” he added.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Gov. Spencer Cox, joined by state public safety and fire officials, provides an update in current wildfire conditions across the state during a presser above the Salt Lake Valley on Thursday, June 25, 2026.
Many municipalities have gone ahead with a blanket ban, some have set aside areas where fireworks are allowed, while others have opted to allow fireworks citywide.
When one individual responded, “How about we just tell people to follow the law?” MacPherson replied, “Governors don’t make laws, the law says shoot fireworks July 2-5.”
There is nowhere in Salt Lake County, including MacPherson’s district, where fireworks restrictions have been lifted.
Individuals who violate restrictions may be fined up to $1,000.
If fireworks result in a fire, the person who lit them is responsible for paying the cost of damage and can be charged with reckless burning if that exceeds $1,500. When fireworks cause larger fires, such as a wildfire, the individual may be charged with felony arson, according to state code.
MacPherson said in his statement Wednesday night that anyone deciding to shoot off fireworks over the holiday “should do so only in areas where they are legally permitted under the current restrictions.”
The Legislature has passed laws limiting firework prohibitions, like a bill introduced in 2018 by longtime Rep. James Dunnigan, R-Taylorsville, and signed by former Gov. Gary Herbert, which says, “The state forester may not restrict or prohibit the discharge of fireworks within the municipal boundaries of a city, town, or metro township.”
Cox’s order temporarily suspends that statute, but state law allows him to do so only for 30 days.
The governor said he spoke with top lawmakers ahead of the order and told reporters their response to his planned order was “generally very supportive.”
“Now, there are some legislators that disagree with this. ... They don’t want any restrictions anywhere,” Cox added, continuing, “I would not do this if it wasn’t the worst possible situation that we’ve ever seen. And to anybody who pushes back on that, all I can say is, go out to one of these fires and talk to one of these firefighters, look them in the eye, and then come back and talk to me.”
Utah wildfires have burned more than 270,000 acres so far this year, and blazes are expected to continue throughout the summer after the state saw its driest winter on record.
According to MacPherson’s financial disclosure, he is a partner at PyroCrate. The company imports and sells fireworks wholesale, as well as operates a stand in Taylorsville.
“No municipality can enforce this, and sales will continue unrestricted,” MacPherson wrote in a second post commenting on an announcement Cox shared. “For America 250, he thinks people won’t shoot fireworks? Instead, they will seek to avoid enforcement and not set off fireworks in their front yard (the safest place) and shoot them far away from enforcement, increasing the risk of fires 10 fold.”
The lawmaker continued criticizing the order later that evening, writing, “I hear he plans on banning Christmas trees on December 25th too.”
Note to readers, 9:50 p.m. • This story has been updated to add a new statement from Rep. Matt MacPherson.
Emily is a statewatch reporter at The Salt Lake Tribune, where she has worked since 2022. She received her master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University. There, she worked on investigative projects for The Washington Post and ProPublica. While writing, she's probably spinning something from her ever-expanding shelf of punk records.