SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) \u2014 Utah Gov. Cox issued a state of emergency banning fireworks for the Fourth of July after a historically dry winter created unprecedented wildfire danger statewide.<\/p>\n
The order declares that fireworks are banned statewide, with the caveat that local governments can open areas where fireworks can be launched safely.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing about this decision was easy,\u201d Gov. Cox said. \u201cUtahns love celebrating the Fourth of July with family, friends and fireworks. I do too. But this year is different. We are seeing fire behavior that even our most experienced firefighters say they\u2019ve never witnessed before.”<\/p>\n
The temporary ban comes as firefighters work to contain five large wildfires, including the Iron Fire near Eureka and the Cottonwood Fire, which surpassed 70,000 acres on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The Iron Fire and Cottonwood Fire are currently the largest fires in the nation.<\/p>\n
The fires have devastated the state, forcing evacuations and destroying numerous buildings and homes. While the exact causes of each fire have not been released, fire officials have determined they were human-caused. Gov. Cox said the Iron Fire, which forced evacuations in Eureka and burned over 37,000 acres, is believed to have been ignited by illegal fireworks.<\/p>\n
MORE | Utah Wildfires<\/p>\n
The governor’s call comes as Utah continues to deal with extremely dry conditions and strong winds, made worse by record-worst winter snowpack. The executive order states that this year’s wildfire conditions are “extremely hazardous,” with 94% of Utah in severe or extreme drought.<\/p>\n
Fire dangers only continue to rise with dry thunderstorms moving into the Beehive State, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a near-statewide Red Flag Warning set to go into effect Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Officials said new and existing fires could spread rapidly as strong winds with gusts as high as 50 miles per hour move into Utah. <\/p>\n
This comes with a severe thunderstorm risk for central and northern Utah that could bring the possibility for dry lightning.<\/p>\n
“I appreciate that we now have the ability to let there be a complete, citywide ban,\u201d said Draper Mayor Troy Walker, who said he would consult the city\u2019s fire chief but plans no personal use of fireworks city-wide.<\/p>\n
The governor\u2019s order is only temporary, and it does not change state law that limits city leaders\u2019 authority on restrictions.<\/p>\n
Walker said he and his counterparts should be given permanent power to nix fireworks when needed, something the governor does not favor.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think what we have in state law is actually workable in 99 out of 100 years,\u201d Cox said. \u201cBut this is the one where it\u2019s not.\u201c<\/p>\n
The owner of a fireworks company, Republican state Representative Matt McPherson, questions whether the governor\u2019s order is lawful.<\/p>\n
No municipality can enforce this, and sales will continue unrestricted,\u201d said McPherson in a post on X. \u201cFor America 250, he thinks people won\u2019t shoot fireworks?\u201d<\/p>\n
McPherson and his business partner said the order will have unintended consequences.<\/p>\n
\u201cInstead, they will seek to avoid enforcement and not set off fireworks in their front yard (the safest place),\u201d McPherson said. \u201cAnd shoot them far away from enforcement, increasing the risk of fires 10 fold.\u201d<\/p>\n
The order does to curtail fireworks sales. Cox said to buy them for later. <\/p>\n
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