SALT LAKE CITY — What do you get when you mix a bunch of severe drought with above-average temperatures and throw in eight active wildfires burning in one state?
"As everybody knows we have had a significant drought," said Utah Gov.
We want to call on the people of Utah to be careful, to be wise in what they do in their activities."
Those extremely dry conditions make the state ripe for more wildfires, the governor said, and it will likely get worse with the fireworks season looming.
“Be careful when you enjoy your summer vacations.
Fireworks are already banned on state-owned lands and in the unincorporated area of Salt Lake County, Herbert said.
The nexus between fireworks and wildfires is critical because as it stands, the majority of Utah’s wildfires are human caused.
On Thursday, the Bureau of Land Management instituted new fire restrictions in northeastern Utah due to hazardous conditions.
"With the fireworks, with local and state fire ordinances, they are there for a reason, especially as dry as we are.
"For a variety of reasons, the monsoon (season) looks to be a bit delayed as we go into July," he said.