State fire restrictions are to be taken seriously and local citations have been given out. Uintah County Fire Marshal Jeremy Raymond reports that, as an example, on Saturday alone multiple fires were started and several citations were issued. The Vernal Fire Department and BLM were called to a fire on the east side of Red Fleet that was a brush fire started by target shooting. Two additional fires were started that same day caused by welding or grinding. “Citations were given to both of those individuals,” shares Raymond. “ Current fire restrictions state that acts of cutting, welding or grinding metal in areas of dry vegetation is prohibited. So you can do those things in a clear area but understand that if you start a fire in the grass you may be liable for the cost and you will be cited!” Under Utah State law the following acts are prohibited in all unincorporated private and state lands within Duchesne and Uintah Counties: 1. Setting, building, maintaining, attending or using open fires of any kind except within the facilities designated for them in improved campgrounds, picnic areas or home sites where running water is present. 2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area that is paved or free from dry vegetation. 3. Discharging or using any kind of fireworks, tracer ammunition or other pyrotechnic devices including exploding targets. 4. Cutting, welding or grinding metal in areas of dry vegetation and 5. Operating a motorcycle, chainsaw, ATV, or other small internal combustion engine without an approved and working spark arrestor. Any violation is punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 dollars.
