By Ryan Taylor
As firework stands open in preparation for Pioneer Day, Gov. Jon Huntsman asked each city to consider banning all personal fireworks. But local leaders are not eager to heed his call.
In light of record wildfires this year, Huntsman re-emphasized in an emergency declaration Tuesday the importance of the ban on fireworks for all state and unincorporated lands in Utah and asked all local governments to ban personal fireworks in their respective jurisdictions. Huntsman asked that only professional fireworks shows be permitted.
'This week marks the beginning of this year''s fire season, and with our state already coping with unprecedented loss of life and property due to record wildfires, extraordinary measures are called for,' Huntsman said in a news release. 'We must work together to protect life and property in these unusual circumstances, which is why I am calling on all municipalities to ban the personal use of fireworks in their jurisdiction.'
Provo decided Wednesday to keep its already established partial ban on fireworks - prohibiting personal fireworks in eastern Provo near the mountainside, but allowing fireworks in the rest of the city.
'Provo''s longstanding partial ban on fireworks in areas of higher risk has proven effective in promoting fire safety and protecting the quality of our environment,' Mayor Lewis billings said in a news release.
Provo has designated several city parks for legal firework use for the residents in the areas where fireworks are banned.
'The city will be aggressive in its enforcement of the use of legal fireworks in the area of the targeted ban and in prosecuting those who use illegal fireworks anywhere in Provo,' Billings said. 'We applaud the increased focus on fireworks safety statewide. With the very dry conditions in our area, it is important for all of us to take the utmost caution in any activities that might create a risk of fire.'
The ban has been in place for six or seven years, said Tom Kuhlman, acting fire chief in Provo, and it has been effective.
He noted that the ban could present a financial hardship on business owners who sell fireworks because they have already purchased the products the governor is not asking people not to buy and use.
At BYU, fireworks remain prohibited.
'We follow a policy of no fireworks on campus, period,' said Lt. Michael Harroun of the BYU Police Department.
There are many areas around campus that are dry and could be dangerous, including Wymount Terrace and around the LaVell Edwards Stadium, Harroun said.
Orem, while endorsing the governor''s ban on state, unincorporated and federal lands within the state, will not be enacting any additional restrictions. The city is asking residents in northeast Orem close to the mountains and other parts of the city near 'wild areas' to voluntarily refrain from personal fireworks use.
The city will be 'vigorously' enforcing laws against illegal fireworks, according to a news release.
Pioneer Day holiday fireworks may only be used from July 21 to July 27, according to state laws.