- Ogden increases fire restrictions to orange level ahead of Pioneer Day.
- Officials cite July 6 fire incident involving illegal fireworks as a warning.
- Increased patrols, drones and cameras will enforce restrictions and enhance safety.
OGDEN – Ogden's firework restrictions are more stringent now ahead of Pioneer Day.
The city raised its fire restriction level from yellow to orange.
"It's no open flames, no fire pits (and) no fireworks," said Ogden Fire Chief Mike Slater. "No burning in the restricted areas of Ogden, which are east of Harrison and along the River Parkway."
Officials have a warning to share after a scary Fourth of July weekend.
Ogden police said trail cameras caught a group setting off fireworks illegally, sparking a fire on July 6.
"Just that one small incident was over 50 firefighters, 22 different fire units, fire departments from all over the county, and also some from Davis County to help keep that air safe and keep the fire from burning more homes down," Slater said. "If we find those individuals, we will prosecute."
To prevent a repeat incident, the fire and police departments are teaming up for Pioneer Day.
"We wanted to do everything we can to prevent that, so the city's gone out, and we've hung signs around some of these trailheads saying, 'fire is prohibited,'" Slater said. "We're going to actually lock some of the gates that night to keep people out of that restricted area; we're going have some enforcement."
Both fire and police crews will have increased patrols.
"We have three brush trucks that will be out on patrol on their own," Slater said. "They're just a quick response unit. They'll be out in the restricted areas, and they'll be the first to respond if there is a brush fire."
He said trailheads will close. Ogden City Police Lt. Will Farr said there will be cameras stationed at trailheads. Police will use other technology, too.
"We will be using drones, will be using some different technology to be able to enhance our patrols, to be able to just make sure that there's safety and make sure that nothing catches on fire," Farr said.
Those using fireworks outside of designated days, times and areas will have consequences.
"We're going to leave that up to the officers' discretion; however, if there are egregious instances, the officers likely will be issuing a citation, or, if there's repeat offenders, then there could be more severe penalties," Farr said.
Both departments want people to use common sense.
"We really can't afford during this dry weather to have fires that spread and go beyond a small area, even or at all," Farr said.
Slater encourages people to have a bucket of water to soak fireworks.
His department also recommends creating defensible space around homes.
"Get rid of the thick fuels, get rid of the wood and everything that's stacked up against your home, and it gives you a fighting chance to save your house in a wildland fire," Slater said.
Personal fireworks are allowed from July 22-25 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fireworks are allowed until midnight on July 24.
