Residents in Washington Terrace and parts of Riverdale will have to comply with a fireworks ban in some areas or be cited and fined up to $250. Violating the restriction is also a class B misdemeanor.
A letter explaining the ban was hand-delivered to residents Tuesday afternoon.
The areas affected are south of Ridgeline Drive (5500 South) and West of 500 West including any areas that are in Riverdale. Fireworks in this area are strictly prohibited.
Residents in North Ogden are being strongly cautioned to comply with the county’s fireworks ban, which affects some of the city.
Northview Fire Chief Lynn Froerer approved of the ban, which includes all fireworks east of Mountain Road to where it intersects 3300 North, then north of 3300 North to where it intersects the canal, then north of the canal to the Pleasant View city boundary.
North Ogden Mayor Richard Harris is additional restrictions won’t be needed.
“I met Monday with Chief Froerer, Police Chief Afuvai and City Manager Ron Chandler to re-discuss this situation and make sure they were still okay with those boundaries,” Harris said. “We all feel that as long as people obey the ban we won’t have any problems. As always, it depends on people and common sense. Hopefully, common sense will prevail.”
Washington Terrace City Manager Tom Hanson said Riverdale has been great to work with in setting up the restricted areas.
Washington Terrace Fire Marshal Kasey Gibson made the recommendation when he and other firefighters noticed all the dry, combustible areas around the city that could ignite with a mere spark.
“People need to understand that any kind of grinding or welding are not approved, either,” Hanson said.
The city is trying to be reasonable and not overreach, which is why there are still permitted areas in the city.
But officials warn that a small spark could start a fire that would do serious damage to homes and businesses, especially on the hill going down from Rohmer Park into Riverdale.
Hanson stressed the difference between the city having a fireworks event in a controlled setting with fire trucks on site and residents shooting off their own fireworks. He also pointed out that fire conditions have worsened significantly recently.
Residents are asked to use extra caution even in permitted zones and to have a bucket of water on hand when lighting fireworks and for soaking the used fireworks as well.
Harris said as for now the planned fireworks on July 4 at Barker Park are still on and will be closely monitored by the fire department.
Froerer agreed. “I feel confident that with the pre-plan we have conducted that we will have units placed in the most critical areas … If in the event we are unable to provide the coverage we have identified, due to any other emergency commitments, we may have to postpone until such resources are available …” Froerer said.
According to the Washington Terrace letter, fireworks in the nonrestricted area are legal July 1-7 and July 21-27 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 11 p.m., except July 4 and July 24, when the time is extended to midnight.
The restrictions will be in place until November.
FIREWORKS AND FIRE RESTRICTED AREAS
Riverdale: All land east of the Weber River on the south end of the city and extending north to include all areas east of 700 West to the River Glen subdivision. In conjunction with Washington Terrace, the restrictions include the East Bench area of both cities going north to the 300 West and Riverdale Road intersection. No open fires, no open flames, no cigarettes allowed along the Weber River corridor.
A map of the restricted areas can be viewed on the city website, www.riverdalecity.com. Restrictions in effect until October 31.
• South Davis Metro Fire Agency, serving Bountiful, Centerville, Davis County, North Salt Lake, West Bountiful and Woods Cross prohibits fireworks, use of any ignition source, lighters, matches, and smoking materials within areas east of Orchard Drive from Bountiful city boundary to Salt Lake City boundary in North Salt Lake. This order excludes North Salt Lake City’s permitted firework celebration on July 3
• South Ogden prohibits any fireworks east of Harrison Boulevard, within 300 feet of South Ogden Nature Center and within 300 ft. of Burch Creek. The discharge of fireworks adjacent to any of the following is prohibited:
Urban-wildland interfaces; open fields; hillsides; vacant lots; oak brush; trees (pine, evergreens, conifers, junipers).
• The Utah Legislature has revised fireworks dates and times as follows:
Fireworks may be discharged July 1- 7 and July 21-27.
Hours of discharge are from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and on July 4 hours are 11 a.m. to midnight.
— Information provided by the listed cities.
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