South Weber fire chief: state law limits city’s authority to ban fireworks

Fire Chief Derek Holman addressed the South Weber City Council on June 23 to clarify who can legally restrict fireworks in and around the city.

Holman told the council that, under recent state law and to the extent of the governor’s emergency authority, municipalities no longer have the authority to impose additional local fireworks restrictions after May 1. "Any expectation anyone in the public has that... the mayor or the council can change anything to impact firework use is false," Holman said, adding that any further restrictions must come from the state legislature or an executive emergency declaration from the governor’s office.

He also noted that county- and state-level stage-one fire restrictions are already in effect for unincorporated county lands, preventing fireworks, recreational burns and similar activities on those lands; those entities and, through their agreements, federal authorities can enforce restrictions on unincorporated areas. Holman urged residents to consider how dry conditions increase risks and reminded the public that individuals who cause damage with errant fireworks can be held personally responsible.

Holman closed by directing residents to the city’s published fireworks map for areas where the city can enforce restrictions and inviting anyone with further questions to contact the fire department.

Next steps and public guidance: the chief said residents concerned about broader policy changes should take those concerns to state legislators, who control municipal authority in this area unless the governor declares an emergency.