Utah governor declares state of emergency banning fireworks for Fourth of July

Key Points:

• Utah Governor Spencer Cox declared a state of emergency banning fireworks statewide for the Fourth of July due to unprecedented wildfire risks caused by a historically dry winter and severe drought affecting 94% of the state.
• The ban allows local governments to designate safe areas for fireworks, but is temporary and does not alter existing state laws limiting city authority on fireworks restrictions.
• The order comes amid ongoing efforts to contain five large wildfires, including the Iron Fire and Cottonwood Fire, which are currently the largest in the nation and have forced evacuations and destroyed numerous structures.
• Officials warn that dry thunderstorms and strong winds with gusts up to 50 mph could rapidly spread new and existing fires, prompting a near-statewide Red Flag Warning from the National Weather Service.
• Some local leaders support broader authority to ban fireworks permanently during high-risk periods, while fireworks business owners and a Republican state representative criticize the governor’s order as potentially unlawful and argue it may increase fire risks by pushing fireworks use into less controlled areas.