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Fire chief warns Payson residents after unattended campfires, clarifies scope of state restriction
Summary
Payson Fire Chief reported several calls for unattended campfires and reminded residents the state's "stage 2 5" restriction applies to unincorporated areas and state lands but not to cities or some federal lands; the chief urged use of improved pits and caution.
PaysonFire Chief informed the council on Aug. 6 that the city has received multiple calls about unattended campfires and urged residents to use improved fire pits and common sense amid dry conditions.
"State is in a stage 2 5 restriction, but it does not include any federal grounds, any cities. It's only unincorporated areas, unincorporated areas of the state and, state lands," the fire chief said, explaining that the Forest Service currently has no additional restrictions in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest canyons the city borders.
The chief said firefighters responded to two incidents over the previous weekend involving campfires left unattended: one on Monopole and one on Maple Bench. He noted the department spends significant time putting out improperly tended fires and cited prior multi-acre fires in the Pine Forest area.
The chief encouraged residents to use improved pits in maintained parks rather than making fires in the backcountry and to call authorities with questions. He said the city typically mirrors Forest Service restrictions when the Forest Service imposes them, but for now city-managed parks remain available for use with caution.
This report was informational and no formal council action was taken.
Kicker: The chief emphasized prevention and education to avoid a repeat of the 2018 fires the city referenced in its remarks.
