Daniel adopts seasonal fireworks, firearm and open-flame restriction effective June 1–Oct. 30

Daniel Town Council voted April 7 to adopt a municipal resolution that prohibits fireworks and imposes restrictions on recreational firearm discharge and certain open flames in parts of town during the high fire-risk season.

The council approved Municipal Resolution BR2025-04-07A, titled “Amended fireworks, firearm discharge, and open flame restriction,” after debate about the scope and effective dates. The council amended the resolution’s language replacing “now” with dates matching the state’s typical closed-fire season: June 1 through Oct. 30, 2025. The resolution says restrictions apply south of 3000 South inside town limits and directs potential cost recovery for suppression where an individual negligently causes a wildland fire.

The resolution was introduced at the meeting by representatives of the Wasatch County Fire District and discussed at length by council members and residents. Fire officials — including Eric Hales, chief of Wasatch County Fire; Troy Morgan, fire warden; and Clint Dierings, fire marshal — told the council the town must adopt a map and official action by May 1 for fireworks restrictions under state statute; they said local signage and shared enforcement with state and county agencies help alert the public and deter unsafe conduct. Fire officials explained that stage 1 and stage 2 fire restrictions differ: stage 1 typically stops debris and permitted burns and fireworks, while stage 2 is a broader ban that includes no recreational fires or shooting in certain wildland areas.

Several council members and residents raised concerns about a “blanket” prohibition applying to backyard fire pits, agricultural burns or lawful firearm discharge when fire danger is not elevated. Fire officials and council members repeatedly clarified that agricultural burns and permitted ditch or maintenance burns follow separate state rules, and that improved/approved backyard fire pits used responsibly are treated differently from unrestricted open burning.

Council discussion focused on three practical items: (1) the geographic boundary of the restriction inside town (south of 3000 South), (2) whether the resolution should limit only fireworks or also address firearms and open flames, and (3) the effective dates. After discussion, the council replaced the initial “effective now” language with dates that mirror statutory closed-fire season guidelines, settling on June 1–Oct. 30, 2025.

The resolution text also states that a person who negligently, recklessly or unintentionally causes or spreads a wildland fire shall be liable for suppression costs regardless of land ownership. The council and fire district representatives said the provision provides a clearer basis for cost recovery after a costly suppression response, and that local signage and interagency patrols would be used to inform the public and enforce restrictions.

The council’s adoption of BR2025-04-07A completes the town-level action required to adopt the county/district fireworks-restriction map and aligns Daniel’s enforcement window more closely with state and county practice. The fire district indicated it will coordinate signage in partnership with the Utah Division of Natural Resources and county partners.

The council directed staff to file the updated map and resolution with Wasatch County and noted the town may adopt more stringent boundaries if it chooses. The resolution took effect on the council’s approval date as amended. No ordinance change was made — council members described the action as a municipal resolution implementing the district’s map and the state statutory framework.