Utah Gov.Spencer Cox on Thursday issued a temporary, statewide restriction on fireworks for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, citing "historic" and "extraordinary" wildfire conditions across the state.Cox, a Republican, signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency, temporarily suspending state law to allow the state forester to ban the discharge of fireworks within municipal boundaries between July 2 and July 5.As America’s 250th anniversary approaches, 94% of Utah is facing severe or extreme drought.Gov.
Spencer Cox said the order gives local leaders, working with their fire chiefs, the flexibility to identify where fireworks can still be used safely.(@GovCox/X)RESIDENTS WAKE UP SCREAMING AS COPS RACE TO RESCUE THEM FROM LATE-NIGHT APARTMENT BLAZE: VIDEOThe state has already seen 354 wildfires scorch nearly 142,000 acres this season, with more than 75% of the wildfires having been caused by humans.While the mandate snuffs out some of the holiday excitement, it offers a potential compromise for residents wanting to celebrate. Local municipal leaders, working alongside their fire chiefs, are granted the authority to designate specific "safe areas" where fireworks will still be permitted.Gov.
Cox shared a photo of the wildfire aftermath while announcing a statewide ban on fireworks during the Fourth of July weekend.(@GovCox/X)FIRE DEPARTMENTS TURN TO AI TO DETECT WILDFIRES FASTERIf local leaders do not designate these areas, the state forester's closure remains in full effect."Nothing about this decision was easy," Cox wrote in a statement, acknowledging that Utahns typically enjoy celebrating with pyrotechnics.
"But this year is different.We are seeing fire behavior that even our most experienced firefighters say they’ve never witnessed before."In a statement posted to X, Cox added, "Our goal is to make sure our neighborhoods and communities are still standing on July 5."Gov.
Cox said more than 75% of Utah’s wildfires have been human-caused,...