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Cedar Hills council adopts modified fireworks map, bans aerials in most areas for 2026
Summary
Citing severe drought and wildland-urban-interface risk, council debated two maps and adopted a compromise (map B) that prohibits aerial fireworks across most of Cedar Hills while allowing ground fireworks in a defined western zone; staff will submit the map to the county by the May 1 deadline.
Council received a recommendation from the fire marshal, presented by City Manager Goodwin, to prohibit aerial fireworks across the city this year because of low snowpack, drought indicators and elevated wildland fire potential.
Goodwin read the fire marshal's recommendation and underlined the local conditions: "Given the significant lack of water and severe drought conditions this year, I proposed Cedar Hills passed municipal legislation limiting the use or banning aerial fireworks in the city due to fire risk." Council debated enforcement feasibility, fairness to neighborhoods with long-standing July 4 displays, and whether the restriction should be permanent or limited to this drought year.
After discussing three options (the packet map, the fire-marshal blanket ban, and a staff-revised compromise), the council voted to adopt the compromise map (map B) that prohibits aerials citywide except for a designated western area where ground and aerial fireworks remain allowed; ground fireworks remain restricted in certain high-risk (orange) zones. The motion to adopt the revised map carried on a roll-call vote and staff said they will submit the adopted map to the county to meet the statutory May 1 deadline.
City Manager Goodwin said enforcement would rely on American Fork Police and indicated a "zero tolerance" approach in high-risk areas. Councilors stressed this is a response to current conditions and not intended as an annual permanent change; Goodwin said the packet retains the previous map for reference if conditions change.
