Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fire Restrictions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County to follow state fire restrictions after commissioners criticize lack of notice
Summary
After the governor issued broad state fire restrictions, Duchesne County emergency management briefed commissioners on recent fires and drought conditions. Commissioners said they were frustrated by not being consulted and directed staff to issue county notices and a press release.
Duchesne County officials said June 30 they will follow state-ordered fire restrictions while working to improve local communication after commissioners said they learned of the order via media coverage rather than direct state notice.
Emergency management staff told the commission the state issued fire restrictions (noted around June 28) covering state land, unincorporated BLM land, state parks and wildlife management areas. County staff described current conditions: high temperatures, dry winds, limited rainfall, and recent structure and wildland fires over the weekend that included a human-caused incident in Fruitland and the Hannah fire, which started as a wildland incident and later involved a structure loss.
Several commissioners said they were frustrated not to have been briefed by state officials before the public release. Staff acknowledged the concern and said the county will align with state restrictions, prepare a county press release and use radio and social media to notify residents. Commissioners clarified that municipalities within town limits are not covered by the county-level restrictions and residents in towns can still use fireworks until a municipality enacts its own restriction.
Staff will draft and publish the county statement and coordinate outreach with municipal officials; fire-warden and sheriff’s-office staff will continue to monitor hot spots and assess enforcement needs.
