On Monday, Gov. Spencer Cox advised cities to observe local conditions and decide for themselves whether to allow fireworks in safe areas or to petition the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands to keep a total consumer fireworks discharge ban in place during the Pioneer Day discharge period (July 22-25) in accordance with the governor’s executive order issued just prior to Independence Day.

“We were hopeful conditions would improve enough to safely return more decisions to our local communities, and in many parts of Utah, that’s exactly what’s happened,” Cox said in a press release about the updated decision. “Recent storms have brought meaningful relief to many areas of the state. At the same time, other communities remain at serious risk. This approach recognizes that wildfire conditions now vary across Utah while ensuring we still have the tools to protect lives and property where the danger remains highest.”

On Tuesday, Ogden Mayor Ben Nadolski posted a video to the Ogden City Mayor Facebook page where he, alongside Ogden Fire Chief Mike Slater, announced that the city will petition the state forester to keep the ban in place through the Pioneer Day discharge period.

Slater said that it’s not an easy conclusion to come to.

“We take this decision very heavily,” he said. “It weighs on us when we make decisions like this. What’s predictable is preventable and we know that.”

The video was filmed at the Ogden Nature Center North Trailhead where only a couple of weeks ago, crews were battling a wildfire that grew to 18.1 acres and threatened nearby homes. Though ignited by a campfire, Slater used this as an example of what can happen when fires take hold in the area under current conditions.

“One small spark threatened a dozen homes up here,” he said. “It took 60 firefighters from within Ogden City all the way to North Dakota to show up, contain this fire and protect those residents that live on the East Bench.”

Additionally, Slater also brought up Monday’s string of wildfires that impacted the south side of Ogden and Roy. According to Roy Deputy Fire Chief Mike King, dozens of outbuildings and three homes were destroyed by these fires and they are still investigating exactly how many fire starts there were during the incident.

Slater said there’s little hope of the situation improving between Tuesday and Pioneer Day on Friday.

“We understand that there may be some moisture coming in, but we can’t rely on the moisture,” he said. “The fuels are dry. The condition is primed to burn and we feel at this time, to protect our community with the limited resources that we have and to protect our firefighters and to keep them safe and to allow them to respond to every other emergency in the city, we will be petitioning for a ban.”

Nadolski said public safety comes first in Ogden.

“There’s nothing more important than the safety of our city,” he said. “And there’s nothing that we take more sacred than your trust in us to do that first and foremost. … And that’s why we’ve arrived at this difficult decision. I recognize this might not be the most popular decision for everyone, but I also recognize — based on the conditions, based on the facts on the ground — that this is the right decision for our city.”

Other communities in the area have also chosen to continue the ban.

West Haven City posted a message from Mayor Rob Vanderwood on its Facebook page stating that the city will continue to ban the discharge of fireworks during the Pioneer Day discharge period.

“I understand that some areas of West Haven may be suitable for certain legal fireworks, however, as I have driven throughout our city, I have also seen areas where the fire danger is just as serious, or worse, than it was several weeks ago,” he said. “Creating a map that allows fireworks on one side of a street but prohibits them on the other would be confusing, difficult to enforce, and unfair. For that reason, West Haven will continue with a citywide ban.”

Roy City posted on its city webpage that it will also be continuing the fireworks restrictions.

North Ogden City, which had originally rescinded the fireworks discharge ban on Monday, announced Tuesday on its Facebook page that the ban will be retained.

“Due to the current fire risk, North Ogden City has requested that the Utah State Forester implement a complete ban on the discharge of fireworks within city limits,” the post said.  “The safety of our community is our top priority. We appreciate your patience and support as we take these steps to help prevent wildfires and protect the people and places we all care about.”