BLM issues fire prevention order for north and central Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — The Bureau of Land Management issued a fire prevention order for the lands it manages in north and central Utah.

The order impacts BLM land in Box Elder, Cache, Juab, Millard, Morgan, Rich, Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele, Utah, Wasatch and Weber counties. The order will remain in effect until the BLM rescinds it.

“Northwestern and central Utah received significant rain this spring resulting in an increase in grass crop compared to last year,” said BLM West Desert District Manager Michael Gates.

“As we move into the hot summer months, we can expect the grass to dry out and result in a rapid increase in fire danger,” Gates added.

The BLM order prohibits:

• The use of steel component ammunition and targets.
• Sky lanterns or any similar products.
• Operating off-highway vehicles without spark arresters.

The BLM also said that before visiting public lands, anyone wanting to target shoot should know if their ammunition contains steel.

The agency advised that ammunition can be tested with a magnet in order to determine if it has any steel; packaging doesn’t always indicate the presence of steel. Orange or red painted tips might indicate tracer ammunition, which can ignite flammable things.

“Rapid expansion of our urban areas has increased our wildland urban interface, thereby increasing the potential for wildfire to impact communities. Wildfire prevention should be a top priority for all Utahns to ensure the protection of human lives, property, resources and the landscapes we love in this great state,” said BLM Utah Deputy State Fire Management Officer Gary Bishop.

More information on BLM fire restrictions can be found on its website.

Related:

• Fire restrictions imposed for southwestern Utah

• Fire restrictions imposed by multiple agencies in southeastern Utah

• Fiery, smoky summer ahead. Do your part to prevent wildfires from starting

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