Fire & Fireworks Restrictions 2021

PRESS RELEASE

Payson City Fire Department
439 West Utah Avenue
Payson, Utah 84651

For more information contact:
Scott Spencer, Fire Chief
801-465-5252

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

High Fire Danger Prompts Fire and Fireworks Restrictions

Payson – June 16, 2021

Due to extreme dry and very hazardous fire conditions, effective Wednesday June 16, 2021 the following restriction have been implemented:

Fires and fireworks:
All of the wildland, canyon, foothill areas, and any lands used for agricultural purposes including all incorporated areas of Payson City and everything south and east starting on south Main Street north to 1150 south, east to Payson Canyon Road, north to 800 South, east to 600 East, north to 400 South, east to Goosenest Drive and continuing to Gladstan Golf Course. Areas east, south, and west of the Strawberry Highline Canal including areas in and around Payson Solid Waste Land Fill and Payson Canyon Park. These areas are closed to fires and fireworks of any kind until further notice.

THIS MEANS THAT:
1. All open fires of any kind are strictly prohibited. This closure shall include, but is not limited to, open burning, campfires, cooking fires, and charcoal barbeques.
2. Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreational site or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
3. Possessing or discharging fireworks, tracer ammunition or other pyrotechnic devices on these lands is prohibited. Most wildfires that occur around July 4th and 24th holidays are related to fireworks.

Open burning is defined as burning of materials wherein products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber.

A campfire is defined as a fire not within any building, mobile home, or living accommodation mounted on a motor vehicle, which is used for cooking, branding, personal warmth, lighting, ceremonial, or esthetic purposes. Campfires are open fires, usually built on the ground, from native fuels or charcoal grills. LPG fire pits are exempt from these restrictions.
A stove is defined as a campfire built inside an enclosed stove or grill, a portable brazier, or a pressurized liquid or gas stove including a space heating device. Stoves solely fueled by Coleman® type fuels or LPG fuels are exempt from the restrictions.
A map of the restricted area can be seen at www.paysonutah.org or from our office.
Any violation of this restriction would be a class B misdemeanor and punishable by up to a $1,000.00 fine and/or up to 6 months in Jail.
If you have any questions, please contact our office at 801-465-5252.
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2021 DATES FOR LEGAL DISCHARGE

• July 2nd  – 5th
• July 22st - 25th
• December 31st
• Chinese New Year’s Eve

TIMES FOR LEGAL DISCHARGE

Between the hours of 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. except as noted:

July 2 - July 5 - (July 4^th hours extended to midnight)

July 22 – July 25 - (July 24 hours extended to midnight)

December 31 - (11:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m. Jan 1)

Chinese New Year’s Eve - (11:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m. on the following day)

AERIAL FIREWORKS

Aerial fireworks are designed to travel up to 150 feet into the air and then explode.  Aerial fireworks shall be placed on a hard level surface outdoors, in a clear and open area prior to ignition.  Anyone under the age of 16 shall not handle or operate aerial fireworks.  Ignition of aerial fireworks shall be a minimum of 30 feet from any structure or vertical obstruction.

Aerial fireworks are prohibited in the restricted areas and within 300 feet of vacant lots and undeveloped land in the unrestricted areas.

Ground based fireworks are prohibited in the restricted areas and within 50 feet of vacant lots and undeveloped land in the unrestricted areas.