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Fire season in full swing July 24, 2017, 8:01 amThe Bureau of Land Management is asking "for eveyone's cooperation in preventing wildfires this season." On Jun 16, 2017 in an official press release, the BLM, give several tips to help prevent wildfires. Those tips include: keeping campfires small; never throw cigarette butts from vehicle windows; no fireworks on BLM land; stay on trails and avoid driving over dry brush; chainsaws must be equipped with spark arresters. The press release reads, "Public lands provide valuable, tangible goods, and materials we rely on and use every day to heat our homes, build our roads, and feed our families. They provide an amazing array of recreational opportunities and connect us to our shared American history and cultural heritage. Please practice good stewardship and take care of your public lands." Unified Fire reports that there have been 9 fires in the Saratoga Springs, Cedar Valley, and Eagle Mountain area since the beginning of June. Those fires include 6 brush, 1 wildland, 1 vehicle, and a rubbish fire. Two wildfires have burned in the mountains above Alpine. The recent 400 acre blaze was caused by target shooters, has led Alpine officials to consider further restrictions on access to the foothills near Lambert Park. To help decrease fire risk, the BLM has put restrictions on the type of ammo that can be used for target shooting on BLM land around the Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs area. From June 15 to September 30th, it is prohibited to use steel core, jacketed and tipped ammunition of any caliber. You cannot use tracer or incendiary ammunition, or any kind of explosives, incendiary or chemical devices, pyrotechnics, fireworks or exploding targets. The Unified Fire Authority has also given these restrictions on fireworks. "Aerial fireworks are prohibited in the restricted areas and within 300 feet of vacant lots and undeveloped land in the unrestricted areas. Ground based fireworks are prohibited in the restricted areas and within 50 feet of vacant lots and undeveloped land in the unrestricted areas." Lets keep our communities safe. Be careful in your Independence day recreation activities, and pleas adhere to all of the various bans in cities and public lands. These fires cost taxpayers and residents involved substantial money in damages and costs incurred to fight the fires. On June 27, the Utah County Sheriff's department release a press release that proves this point. One of the June 26, 2017 fires was caused by two teens lighting fireworks in an unincorporated area by Eagle Mountain. "Two boys, age 16 and 14, were lighting a firework called a "Ground Flower" when the fire started. This particular firework is legal, but there are restrictions on when they can be used legally." They remind us that you can only light fireworks 3 days before and 3 days after certain holidays, including the 4th and 24th of July. This particular fire burned 4.4 acres and took 9 hours to fully extinguish. The estimated cost for fighting the fire was between $12,000 - $14,000, and those responsible for the fire may be required to reimburse those expenses. The community news source for Eagle Mountain Utah, Saratoga Springs Utah, Lehi Utah, American Fork Utah, Highland Utah, Alpine Utah, and The Cedar Valley, including Cedar Fort Utah and Fairfield Utah. Copyright 2024 The Crossroads Journal LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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