Holladay’s city council took the fire prevention step that the state government hasn’t yet: It banned private fireworks.
The ban, which was approved unanimously at the council’s Thursday meeting, came after concerns from residents and advice from Unified Fire Authority Fire Marshal Brad Larson, according to a news release. It will be in place through Oct. 15.
“We’re all aware of the fires in California last year, and the tragic loss of property in Southern Oregon. Conditions this year are ripe for not just a repeat, but perhaps worse,” Mayor Rob Dahle said in the news release. “This should cause us all to consider safety measures we can take to mitigate any opportunity for a rogue fire to break out. The ramifications would be disastrous.”
He said some people might see the ban as excessive, but the council decided that protecting the life and property of people in Holladay is more important than the “short-term benefits” of neighborhood fireworks.
The city will host a professional fireworks show run by a commercial vendor July 3, 2021, at 10 p.m. at Holladay City Park.
Utah has already seen thousands of acres burned and millions of dollars lost to wildfires this year.
