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Fire chief recommends keeping East‑of‑Fairfield fireworks ban; council to consider codifying map
Summary
Layton’s fire representative recommended retaining the temporary fireworks map used for July 4 — banning fireworks east of Fairfield Road and limiting aerials — for the upcoming July 24 shoot period and suggested placing the map into ordinance by next year’s June 1 deadline if the council wants the restriction to be recognized by the state.
Layton’s fire department reviewed July 4 enforcement and recommended preserving the temporary fireworks restrictions used in the city for an upcoming shoot period, with a plan to codify the map into city ordinance.
A city fire representative (speaker 10) told the council that police and fire responded to 38 fireworks complaints on July 4, issued four citations and discovered at least one brush fire. The speaker described a temporary map used for the July 4 period that banned fireworks east of Fairfield Road and restricted aerial shells in specified areas, and recommended keeping that same map for the July 24 shoot period regardless of whether the state issues additional direction.
"My recommendation is that we, based on the fires we've had and the weather we've had, keep what we did for the 4th of July and just keep the entire fireworks off East Of Fairfield," the fire representative said, adding staff had already posted signage and distributed flyers in affected neighborhoods.
The speaker explained that a governor’s executive order and an order from the state forester can set or lift statewide fireworks restrictions, and that the city’s ordinance includes a provision authorizing the fire chief to prohibit ignition of fireworks during hazardous conditions. Council members discussed whether the temporary map would be acceptable to the state if the city sought to adopt it permanently and submit a map by the statutory June 1 deadline next year. Staff said the map could be formalized in the ordinance and submitted to the state as required.
Council members expressed support for the clear map and for timely action to give vendors and the public notice of rules. The fire representative said staff plans to announce the city decision on Monday and to coordinate with police and code enforcement on enforcement and education.
The council did not take a separate formal vote on an ordinance at the meeting; instead the fire chief’s recommendation was discussed and accepted as guidance for staff action ahead of the next shoot period.
