Fireworks and Fire Danger
Many of the summer’s biggest and brightest celebrations will happen over the 4th of July weekend. Unfortunately, summer holidays—when Salt Lake City residents are most eager to set off fireworks—are also at the peak of dry conditions.
“We are very dry right now—we had hotter temperatures much earlier in the year than normal, which has led to a very fire susceptible situation.”
-Jake Eiting, Natural Lands Supervisor for Public Lands
Residents are highly encouraged to check the map of the City’s Firework Restricted Areas to see where fireworks are allowed. In general, setting off fireworks is illegal east of 900 E, north of South Temple, and west of Redwood Road. Fireworks are also illegal in all city parks, natural areas, and along the Jordan River Corridor.
Setting off fireworks illegally comes with hefty fines. Fireworks can endanger neighborhoods, critical infrastructure, and Salt Lake City’s beloved natural areas. Even if fires don’t damage homes, power utilities, or water utilities, they can destroy the plants that stabilize hillsides. Fires in the foothills can lead to landslides and wipe out trails.
Fire is not a new problem, but invasive species like cheatgrass and cereal rye have had major impacts on fire risk. Invasive cheatgrass is now one of the dominant grasses in the Foothills region. It has been successful in pushing out native grass species partly because of its speedy growth.
“Cheatgrass grows, flowers, sets seed, and dries up before most of our native perennial plants have even fully grown for the year. A landscape that is covered in dried up grass before summer even hits presents a large fire risk”
-Jake Eiting, Natural Lands Supervisor for Public Lands
Many of the grass species native to the Wasatch foothills are perennials that take longer to spring up and die back. Typically native grass species would still be growing in early summer—but cheatgrass is already dead and dried up in summer.
Anyone who has tried to start a campfire with fresh, green wood has learned that it’s hard to burn, because living plants have water flowing through their stems and leaves. When moist, living grasses are pushed out by dry, dead grasses, the whole landscape becomes more flammable. Fireworks are extremely risky in this environment.
Native plant restoration is an important long-term tool for making the City’s natural areas more fire resilient. Giving native grasses a chance against invasive species would help make our foothills less flammable this time of year. Resilience to fire is just one of the reasons that Public Lands works to restore native plants. To get involved in this work, check out the Foothills Stewardship Program.
Don’t let a destructive (and expensive) mistake ruin the festivities. Salt Lake City has opportunities to watch a dazzling light show without the dangers.
Head to Jordan Park on July 5 to see Salt Lake City’s Drone Show. This free, family-friendly event will kick off with local food trucks and live music. Find a seat on Jordan Park’s fields before 10 p.m., when the grand finale begins. Hundreds of drones will take viewers on a tour of the U.S.A.’s most iconic monuments and landscapes.
Salt Lake City will also host a Drone Show to cap off the Pioneer Day celebrations at Liberty Park on July 24. Hundreds of drones will create vivid scenes of Utah’s unique cultures and natural wonders. Both of the City’s drone shows will be larger and more vibrant than ever before.
In this hot and dry season, don’t put Salt Lake City at risk by lighting fireworks illegally. There are many other ways to celebrate! Attend a festive and free drone show, get outside to celebrate SLC’s natural beauty, and help protect each other from the dangers of illegal fireworks.
For those living next to open spaces managed by Public Lands, Salt Lake City also has resources to help protect homes from fire.