Thursday afternoon, Weber Fire District Deputy Chief David Reed notified the Standard-Examiner that the state of Utah will be implementing fire restrictions statewide, effective at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

This comes as the Fourth of July commercial fireworks discharge period looms.

“All state and unincorporated county lands, effective June 28, will be in Stage 1 fire restrictions, and that will include no fireworks for any state lands or unincorporated county (land),” Reed said. “That does not affect incorporated cities. Their city councils have to set restrictions in their areas.”

According to a copy of the order sent by Reed, the restrictions will be in place until rescinded by the Utah state forrester.

According to the Utah Department of Natural Resources, stage 1 restrictions include the following:

• “No open fires of any kind except within established public facilities in improved campgrounds, picnic areas. -OR- In permanently constructed fire pits at private homes where running water is present.
• “No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area that is paved or free from dry vegetation.
• “No fireworks, tracer ammunition or other pyrotechnic devices including exploding targets.
• “No cutting, welding or grinding metal in areas of dry vegetation.
• “No operating a motorcycle, chainsaw, ATV, or other small internal combustion engine without an approved and working spark arrestor.”