SALT LAKE CITY — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) West Desert District has issued a fire prevention order to implement seasonal fire restrictions throughout Northern and Central Utah. These measures are aimed at safeguarding BLM-managed lands in these counties, given their significant wildland urban interface and their collective population accounting for 86% of Utah’s residents.
Michael Gates, BLM West Desert District Manager, emphasized the need for vigilance in preventing wildfires, particularly as warmer temperatures are expected to dry out the abundant grass and heighten the risk of fires. Despite recent record snowfall and rainfall over the past seven months, the potential danger remains high.
Effective immediately and until further notice, the fire prevention order prohibits the following activities within the counties of Box Elder, Cache, Juab, Millard, Morgan, Rich, Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele, Utah, Wasatch and Weber:
- The use of steel component ammunition.
- The use of steel component targets.
- Sky lanterns or similar devices.
- Operating off-highway vehicles without spark arresters.
To ensure compliance, the BLM urges target shooters to be aware of the ammunition they are using, as the presence of steel in bullets may not always be indicated on the packaging, especially with military surplus and foreign-made ammunition. A simple test with a magnet can help determine whether a bullet contains steel. Additionally, orange or red painted tips on bullets may signify tracer ammunition, which can ignite flammable substances like dry grass upon contact.
It is important to note that the BLM statewide fire prevention order permanently prohibits the use of fireworks, explosives of any kind, and tracer and incendiary ammunition.
To prevent wildfires, the public is advised to take the following precautions:
- Ensure campfires are fully extinguished and refrain from building fires when winds exceed 15 mph.
- Avoid target shooting in hot, dry, and windy conditions.
- Select a target shooting backstop that is devoid of rocks and dry grass, as bullet impacts on rocks can cause sparks.
- Refrain from cutting, welding, or grinding metal in areas with dry vegetation.
- Keep trailer chains lifted above the ground to prevent sparks from dragging chains.
- Avoid parking vehicles with hot exhaust systems over dry grass.
- Regularly maintain tires, wheels, and bearings on trailers to prevent mechanical failures.
- Yearly inspection of off-highway vehicle exhaust systems to ensure the secure mounting and qualification of spark arresters.
- Completely extinguish and properly dispose of cigarettes.
To access the BLM prevention orders, visit https://go.usa.gov/xJUac, utahfireinfo.gov, or refer to signs posted at BLM-managed lands. The public is reminded to exercise caution and be prepared to prevent wildfires when visiting public lands. It is recommended to carry water, a shovel, and a fire extinguisher during the dry summer months. In the event of a fire, call 911.
For further information about the prevention order, people may contact Nathan Hunter, West Desert District Fire Mitigation and Trespass Specialist, at 801-320-8345.