UTAH — The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is extending its fire restrictions until Oct. 15 as Utah continues to see extremely dry conditions and human-caused wildfires.
Under the Stage 1 Restrictions, people in the forest are only allowed to build fires and use coal or wood stoves in developed campgrounds provided by the forest service.
#uwcnf Due to continued dry conditions and predicted warming trends the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is extending the stage 1 fire restrictions until October 15, 2020. kjfs pic.twitter.com/H0si9amKKx
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) September 29, 2020
Smoking is also restricted to developed campgrounds, inside a vehicle or building, or "while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material," the forest service wrote in the announcement.
Devices fueled by liquid petroleum that can be turned on and off are allowed in areas clear of flammable materials.
The restriction was put in place in August and will now remain in place until 12 a.m. on Oct. 15, but it may be extended further.
According to Utah Wildfire Info, there have been 1,377 wildfires reported in 2020 across Utah as of Friday, 978 of which have been human-caused. A total of 285,307 acres have burned.
Other parts of Utah are also under some form of fire restriction. Click here to view an interactive map.
Do your part to avoid accidentally starting a wildland fire:
— FEMA Region 8 (@femaregion8) October 1, 2020
When driving around:
🚗 Be sure chains and other metal parts aren't dragging from your vehicle
🚗Check your tire pressure. Driving on an exposed wheel rim can cause sparks
🚗Never let your brake pads wear too thin pic.twitter.com/Ji8YJOeANR
