FIRE RESTRICTION/CLOSURES

CHAPTER 6 RISK REDUCTION: PREVENTION, PREPAREDNESS & MITIGATION

FIRE RESTRICTION/CLOSURES

COORDINATION Whenever fire restrictions/closures are implemented or terminated, all land management agencies agree to coordinate their efforts at the local, regional and state level. This includes the area involved, restrictions/closures action, news media and public notification process. The Restrictions/Closures Zone Coordinator will be notified when a fire restriction/ closure implementation or termination is under consideration to assist in overall coordination. This shall not limit any agency from implementing restrictions/ closures required to accomplish their management objectives. The fire restriction plan is included in the statewide operating plan, and can be found on the Enterprise. (https://ffsl.link/EnterpriseIBM) - for QR code see 6.1 on page 168.

If considering fire restrictions/closures in your Area contact the State FMO and initiate coordination with the other cooperating agencies. There is a restrictions request form found on the Enterprise on the Fire page under the FMO and Wardens section, (https://ffsl. link/EnterpriseFire) - for QR code see 6.2 on page 168.

CRITERIA FOR FIRE RESTRICTION ACTIONS The following are examples of criteria used to implement or terminate fire restrictions or closures. • Adjective rating • Planning Level • Probability of Ignition • National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) • National Weather Service data and long-range forecast • Live fuel moisture • 1000 hour time lag fuel moisture • Predicted fire behavior • Recent fire history • Fuel loading, condition and other local conditions • Fire protection service capabilities including water resources • Preparedness levels, local or national

BOUNDARIES Fire Restrictions will be authorized on an area-by-area basis with all interagency partners agreeing when to implement restrictions. “Areas” are defined as the five interagency dispatch zones (also used for the interagency fuels and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) committees). Every effort will be made to select boundaries that coincide with the interagency dispatch zones. When this cannot be agreed to, boundaries will be on county lines or major roadways. Designating restricted areas by agency boundaries should be avoided.

All interagency partners in an area must agree to discuss when to go into restrictions for a restriction to be implemented. Local interagency news releases and statewide interagency news releases will be used to announce restrictions.

RESTRICTIONS When fire restrictions are imposed, they will include (at a minimum) all of the following acts as prohibited on public, private, and county-owned lands when a “restriction” is ordered. • Setting, building, maintaining, attending or using open fires of any kind, except within the facilities designated for them in improved campgrounds, picnic areas or home sites where running water is present. (Devices fueled by petroleum or Liquefied Petroleum

Gas (LPG) products are allowed.) • Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area that is paved or free from dry vegetation. • Discharging, or using any kind of fireworks, tracer ammunition or other pyrotechnic devices including exploding targets. • Cutting, welding or grinding metal in areas of dry vegetation. • Operating a motorcycle, chainsaw, ATV, or other small internal combustion engine without an approved and working spark arrestor.

IMPLEMENTING FIRE RESTRICTIONS Fire restrictions are authorized by the State Forester. Once an area FMO has determined, through the proper coordination, that fire restrictions will be implemented, he/she will request the restriction through the Division’s fire restriction coordinator. A request must be made no later than 48 hours in advance and must be requested using the Division’s fire restriction request form found on the Enterprise on the Fire page under the FMO and Wardens section, (https://ffsl.link/EnterpriseFire) - for QR code see 6.2 on page 168.

Once the form is received, the order will be drafted and sent to the Area FMO for approval. Once the Area FMO has approved the draft, it will be finalized and signed by the State FMO and the State Forester. A signed copy will be sent to the Area FMO and posted on (https:// utahfireinfo.gov) - for QR code see 6.3 on page 168.

To request that a fire restriction order be rescinded, the Division’s fire restriction form must also be used.

EXCEPTIONS TO RESTRICTIONS All other necessary exemptions to the restrictions will be handled through local “permits” issued by the responsible agency(ies) for that purpose.

Exceptions to fire restrictions are generally discouraged, however, when necessary a waiver can be issued for specific activities. The Division has a combined burn permit restriction waiver to use in permitting exceptions to the restriction. A copy of the form can be seen in the reference section on page 234.

ADVANCED FIRE RESTRICTIONS It may be necessary to impose an “Advanced Fire Restriction.” Advanced Restrictions will be authorized at the State level and may restrict additional activities or include the complete ban of fires with the exception of devices fueled by petroleum or other LPG products.

RECOMMENDED FIRE PIT STANDARD GUIDELINES As required by the Utah Wildland Urban Interface Code, A104.7.1 General. No person shall build, ignite or maintain any outdoor fire of any kind for any purpose in or on any urban wildland interface area, except by the authority of a written permit from the code official. Exception: Outdoor fires within inhabited premises or designated campsites where such fires are in a permanent barbecue, portable barbecue, outdoor fireplace, incinerator or grill and are a minimum of 30 feet (9144 mm) from any combustible material or non-fire resistive vegetation.

A104.7.2 Permits. Permits shall incorporate such terms and conditions that will reasonable safeguard public safety and property. Outdoor fires shall not be built, ignited or maintained in or on hazardous fire areas under the following conditions: • when high winds are blowing, • when a person 17 years or older is not present at all times to watch and tend such a fire, and • when a public announcement is made that open burning is prohibited.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR OUTDOOR FIRE PITS • Clear the area of all combustible materials and vegetation for at least three times the diameter of the fire pit diameter. • The apron around the fire pit can be constructed of brick, rock, or concrete, however caution should be used when using concrete, it may explode and cause flying debris, and the same can also happen with certain types of rocks, this may cause injuries from flying debris. • The interior wall of the fire pit can be metal, rock or brick, (again concrete should be avoided if possible). Sand expansion joints should be used to facilitate heat transfer. • The depth of the fire pit should be at least 18” deep. All roots and other combustible materials will need to be removed from underground and the sides for at least 1 foot wider and deeper than the fire ring. • Gravel or aggregate should be placed in the bottom at least 2” to 6” deep. • A screen or grate is also recommended to cover the top of the fire pit to help reduce the possibility of sparks or embers. • *Again these are only recommended guidelines, check with the Local/County Code Official and/or the authority having jurisdiction prior to constructing any fire pit, for specific standards for the area.*