Moab council unanimously approves temporary ban on private fireworks through July over wildfire risk

The Moab City Council unanimously approved a temporary ban on the discharge of private fireworks and the use of open fires within city limits from July 1 through July 31, 2026, citing hazardous dry and windy conditions and constrained firefighting resources.

Mayor Joette Langianese said the special meeting’s purpose was to consider repealing Ordinance 2026-10 and adopting Ordinance 2026-14. She said she had met with Fire Chief T.J. Brewer and City Attorney Nathan Bracken on the ordinance language and justification. "The municipal fireworks display would be exempt unless an issue arose that would cause the City to cancel the municipal display," Langianese said.

Fire Chief T.J. Brewer told the council the current conditions present a heightened risk. He explained that "the dangerous fire conditions could tap out the local fire fighting resources and backup resources would likely not be available to assist with any fires that might arise due to the dry and windy conditions," and said he is authorized to cancel the municipal show if high winds or a red flag warning occur.

City Attorney Nathan Bracken said Governor Cox had issued a statewide ban for the July 4 period and that the Governor's order superseded the Mayor's earlier emergency declaration. Bracken cited Utah Code 15A-5-202.5(1)(b) as the legal basis allowing the City, in consultation with the Fire Chief, to extend a ban through July.

Police Chief Lex Bell said the department would assign additional patrols on July 4 and instructed officers to adopt a "zero tolerance" approach; he said violations of the ban would carry a $1,000 fine and asked residents to report illegal fireworks to dispatch at 435-259-8115.

Councilmember Jason Taylor moved to approve Ordinance 2026-14; Councilmember Tawny Knuteson-Boyd seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The ordinance reiterates prohibitions on private fireworks in mapped hazardous-environment areas and prohibits private fireworks and open fires citywide for the July period; damages and cost recovery for any illegally caused fires were described as enforceable under state code and other criminal charges such as reckless endangerment could apply, according to City staff.

The meeting lasted about 18 minutes. With the ordinance adopted, the City will monitor conditions and the Fire Chief retains authority to cancel the municipal display if weather or red-flag conditions make it unsafe.