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Fireworks are prohibited in the area in red in Ogden per new guidelines that went into effect July 12, 2023. Fireworks are legal, notwithstanding restrictions in prohibited areas, from July 22-25, 2023.

Image supplied, Ogden Fire Department

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Fireworks are prohibited in the area in red effective Thursday, July 20, 2022, per new Weber Fire District guidelines brought on by hot, dry weather. The no-fireworks zone extends east of the area in the map into the Ogden Valley and eastern Weber County.

Image supplied, Weber Fire District

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OGDEN — With Pioneer Day and another window of opportunity to light off fireworks looming, Ogden Fire Department and Weber Fire District officials have implemented stricter rules governing where it’s OK to use pyrotechnics.

Blame the hotter, drier weather, which officials say raises the risk of a quickly spreading fire should a stray spark ignite dry vegetation. Next Monday is Pioneer Day, and state law allows discharge of fireworks from Saturday through Tuesday to mark the day, notwithstanding restrictions in specific areas.

“We are experiencing extremely hot weather. This has caused the moisture in our grasses to decrease and has increased the fire risk in certain areas,” Deputy Ogden Fire Chief Mike Slater said.

Per the changes in Ogden, which went into effect July 12, fireworks are prohibited east of Harrison Boulevard from the southern end of the city north to Second Street. At Second Street, the no-fireworks zone extends west to Monroe Boulevard and goes north to the northern city boundary.

Moreover, fireworks are prohibited in wooded areas along the Ogden and Weber rivers in Ogden as well as Fort Buenaventura and Observatory parks in west Ogden. They are also off limits in other open fields, lots and wooded areas of the city.

The extended Ogden rules — not in effect over Independence Day, though they were in place last year — stay in effect until Oct. 15 or when conditions improve. They also prohibit open fires in the restricted areas.

Weber Fire District officials on Tuesday announced stricter fireworks rules for certain areas of unincorporated Weber County, also due to weather conditions.

“These restrictions will be applicable to all unincorporated areas of Weber County east of Harrison Boulevard and the Upper Ogden Valley,” reads a Facebook post on the changes. That is, fireworks are prohibited in much of the entire area east of Harrison Boulevard into the eastern portion of Weber County.

The restrictions — to go into effect on Thursday — apply not only to fireworks but to open burning, primitive fires and welding without a permit. Fireworks are not prohibited in the unincorporated areas of western Weber County.

“Although this notice allows for campfires in approved fire pits, at a permanent dwelling or improved campground or a day-use picnic area, it does not mean that we can let our guard down,” Weber Fire District Fire Warden Rick Cooper said in a statement. “Conditions vary greatly throughout Weber County and it is important that everyone uses good judgement when deciding to have a campfire in the approved fire pit.”

If a campfire creates a woodland fire, Cooper went on, those responsible may have to cover the associated firefighting costs.

Within the confines of the North View Fire District, fireworks are prohibited in eastern North Ogden and the bench area of northwestern Pleasant View. They were in effect over the July 4 holiday and continue.

The North View Fire District serves North Ogden, Pleasant View and Harrisville.