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Ogden City amends fire-restriction rules to three-tier system allowing limited backyard use under low risk
Summary
The council adopted an amendment to fire-restriction code creating color-coded stages (green, yellow, orange, red). The change clarifies permitted activities at each level and is intended to give residents clearer guidance about barbecues, small fire pits and ground-level sparklers while tightening restrictions as conditions worsen.
Ogden City Council on June 3 adopted ordinance 2025-18 to revise city code Section 11-6-3 and replace the current on/off fire-restriction approach with a color-coded multi-stage system.
Fire Marshal Kevin Brown told the council the current ordinance left residents unclear about whether small backyard fires or barbecues were allowed during restriction periods. "This ordinance . . . would give stages to the ordinance, color code it, so [it is] easier for the public to understand," Brown said. The amendment establishes at-a-glance guidance for permitted ignition sources as the city moves through seasonal fire-risk levels.
Under the ordinance as described by Brown and staff: green denotes normal conditions; yellow is a low-level restriction that prohibits aerial fireworks and ignition in unlandscaped or unattended areas but allows small open-flame fire pits at least 25 feet from structures, gas/pellet/charcoal-burning appliances, and ground-level fireworks such as sparklers when the immediate area is landscaped, constantly attended by an adult and equipped with a means of extinguishment. Orange prohibits ground and aerial fireworks and restricts open-flame fire pits while allowing safer gas-fired appliances; red is a severe condition in which ignition sources are barred in the restricted area.
Council Member Graff urged state-level lobbying on House Bill 48, which creates a state fee program tied to wildland-urban-interface properties; Graff noted the bill does not address ignition sources and said the city should press state lawmakers for more local control. "Ninety percent of wildfires are ... human caused. And in the top five causes are fireworks," Graff said during the discussion.
Brown and staff said citywide red-level restrictions are rare; a citywide severe restriction occurred previously only after a state-level emergency declaration related to drought.
Action: Vice Chair Hyer moved to adopt ordinance 2025-18 amending Section 11-6-3 to implement tiered fire restrictions; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with all council members voting aye.
Council directed staff to publicize the stage levels via the city'9s website and social channels and to keep the public informed when restrictions are enacted. Officials said restrictions generally remain in place through the fire season rather than changing daily unless conditions warrant.
