Friday evening, just over a day after Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed an executive order allowing the State Forester to prohibit fireworks and empowering municipalities to decide where fireworks could be safely used, Ogden City sent out a press release detailing its decision.

The order applies through July 5. State officials will evaluate wildfire conditions before determining whether any restrictions are necessary for the July 24 Pioneer Day holiday.

“Like many cities in Utah, Ogden City has determined there are no safe discharge locations within city limits at this time,” the release said. “The ban is in effect now and will be reevaluated, based on conditions, prior to the Pioneer Day holiday. The Ogden City Police Department and Ogden City Fire Department will fully enforce the restriction.”

The release adds that the decision came down to keeping the community safe.

“Independence Day is one of our nation’s most cherished traditions, and this year’s celebration carries even greater meaning as America commemorates 250 years of freedom, courage, and patriotism,” the release said. “Ogden City recognizes the disappointment many residents will feel. However, protecting lives, homes, neighborhoods, infrastructure, parks, trails, foothills, river corridors, and open space must come first. Under current conditions, removing preventable fire starts is one of the most important actions the community can take. With the safety of the community at stake, the responsible course is to allow the State Forester’s restriction to remain in effect citywide.”

Ogden Mayor Ben Nadolski said that the decision was not made lightly.

“We know how much Independence Day means to our families, and how much it means this year as our nation turns 250,” he said in the release. “But under the Governor’s order, our responsibility is to determine whether any area in Ogden can be safely identified for fireworks discharge. After reviewing the conditions with our fire and public safety professionals, we are not able to identify any such area. The State Forester’s restriction will remain in effect throughout Ogden City. I’m asking every resident to celebrate with us — safely — and help protect the city we all love.”

The press release added that several factors were considered when weighing whether to allow fireworks in some areas or join the ban.

“Ogden City’s review was completed by the Ogden City Fire Department in consultation with the Ogden City Police Department, City administration, emergency management partners, and public works professionals,” the release said. “Fire officials evaluated the likelihood of ignition, the potential for rapid fire spread, drought-stressed vegetation, local topography, wind and weather conditions, available response resources, and the potential consequences to homes, businesses, critical infrastructure, and public lands.”

Ogden City Fire Chief Mike Slater also pointed out that if a major wildfire broke out in or around Ogden, regional resources that would be needed to fight fires are strained at the moment due to the other wildfires currently raging across the state.

“Firefighting in Utah is a shared system, and right now that system is stretched extremely thin,” he said in the release. “Large fires across the state are drawing on crews, aircraft, incident management teams, and other specialized resources. If a fireworks fire breaks out in Ogden during this period, the help we would normally count on may be delayed, limited, or unavailable. We have to assume local crews could be managing the first critical hours with limited outside support. Given the current conditions, I cannot recommend any fireworks discharge area in Ogden. The safest fire is the one that never starts.”

The release adds that enforcement of the restrictions will be a joint effort of the Ogden’s fire and police departments.

“The State Forester’s restriction will be actively enforced by the Ogden City Police Department and the Ogden City Fire Department throughout the holiday period. Officers and fire personnel will patrol neighborhoods, foothills, parks, trails, river corridors, and open-space areas, and will respond to reports of fireworks being discharged,” the release said.

In a video posted to the Ogden City Police Department’s Facebook page Thursday, Ogden Chief of Police Jake Sube said the restrictions will be taken very seriously.

“On the police side, our role is the enforcement side of those restrictions,” he said. “Our officers are going to go out with a zero-tolerance approach due to the risk that is posed this year with the low water levels and the extreme drought that we’re in. It’s extremely concerning.”

Residents should call 911 immediately to report smoke, flames, or any emergency. For non-emergency reporting call 801-395-8221. For current information, visit https://www.ogdencity.gov/343/Restrictions