FILE -- Fireworks explode over Thanksgiving Point Saturday July 30, 2005 at the Utah County Fair. Photo by Scott G. Winterton/Deseret Morning News. (Submission date: 07/30/2005)
SALT LAKE CITY — The city of Millcreek has joined two other Utah cities in taking big steps against fireworks this summer. Eagle Mountain is banning personal fireworks of all kind, Park City is canceling fireworks shows, and Millcreek has banned fireworks east of 900 East.
Officials from all three cities say they are worried about the heat and drought and fire danger.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Fire Marshal of the Unified Fire Authority announced that hazardous environmental conditions exist that force him to recommend the restriction of fireworks in Millcreek east of 900 East. Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini agreed with the Unified Fire Marshal.
The Eagle Mountain city council approved a resolution Tuesday night prohibiting fireworks for Independence Day and Pioneer Day in July. They also are banning open flames in undeveloped areas through August.
Eagle Mountain said it’s looking into providing some form of entertainment for the holiday celebrations instead.
Park City canceled its Independence Day fireworks shows.
That includes a fireworks display that was set for July 3rd in Canyons Village, and the city’s annual display on July 4th to be shot from Park City Mountain Resort.
The Park City Fire District fire marshal told the Park Record that in Summit County, they are not going to issue any permits for fireworks displays.
Both Utah cities cite concern about mixing fireworks with dry conditions, hot temperatures, high winds, and limited water resources.
Last week, Governor Cox banned the use of fireworks on state and unincorporated private lands.
Utah also enacted stage 1 fire restrictions recently.
In mid-March, the governor declared Utah’s drought a state of emergency.