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Moab enacts targeted fireworks ban in creek corridors and urban-interface areas
Summary
Citing high dryness and limited creek-bed access, the council approved a map-based temporary ban on fireworks discharge in designated high-risk areas; police will enforce the prohibited zones and staff will publicize the map widely.
The Moab City Council unanimously approved ordinance 2026-10 on April 28 to impose a temporary ban on the discharge of fireworks in designated high-risk areas, including creek corridors and portions of the wildland-urban interface.
City staff and the fire department framed the measure as a narrowly tailored public-safety step for a particularly dry season. "This is the official map that I'm showing you here today...the high risk areas include the creek corridors and any areas where there is any interface with natural areas where there might be a lot of fire fuels," a staff presenter said. Fire Department leadership described the difficulty of fighting fires in the creek beds and urged targeted restrictions to keep fires out of those areas.
Enforcement and penalties: staff said the police department has the ordinance map and will enforce the prohibited zones; the ordinance includes violation language intended to deter fireworks use in the restricted areas. Chief Ritter said he strongly supported the ordinance and urged coordination with the county where jurisdictions abut.
Council discussion touched on the limits of city authority to enact a citywide ban and the importance of coordinating with Grand County. Several council members described past human-caused fires and reiterated the public-safety rationale for taking a targeted approach.
The vote: The motion to approve the temporary ban passed by voice vote, 5-0. Staff said they will disseminate the map through city social channels and partner communications ahead of peak holiday use.
Next steps: staff will finalize the ordinance map as part of the adopted ordinance text, publish the map and enforcement guidance to the city's social channels, and coordinate with county authorities about adjacent, unincorporated areas.
