This week is a holiday for many who will enjoy time off, parades, celebrations and fireworks displays. But it’s all hands on deck for the Wasatch Fire District. They’ve got regulations in place and with the hot temperatures and high winds predicted for the next few days, they are on alert. Carolyn Murray has this:
The Wasatch Fire District was checking equipment, filling up water tankers and organizing personnel when KPCW called to get a Holiday Fireworks update. Public Information Officer, Janet Carson says last year they were responding all night long to calls from all over Wasatch County.
“I know the governor did post a request, please do not do fireworks and be a good citizen. One of the biggest things is they throw them in their garbage cans and their garbage can catches on fire. We had a call last year where the garbage can caught on fire, the garage caught on fire and their side by side burned right next to it. So, disposing of them properly is very important. We had multiple calls after that. We were all over the valley. We were out half the night all over the valley. It was pretty crazy.”
Carson says it’s up to the different fire jurisdictions to decide whether private fireworks can be used during the two July holiday time periods. The state guidelines allow them 2 days before Independence Day and Pioneer Day until 11pm. On the 4th and 24th, they’re allowed until midnight.
“And I know the state has asked that we have banned areas and the incorporated cities allow them. We’ll have to see how things go on the fourth and make further restrictions on the 24th. But there are a lot of people with fire- works that have their own and want to do them. We’re hoping that everyone is just safe.”
There are some Homeowner’s Associations that never allow fireworks. Carson says the maps on the website, wasatchcountyfire.com, clearly shows where fireworks are permitted.
“The green area in the very center, Heber City incorporated. Anything out of that green area is not allowed. Wallsburg has an incorporated area but they have chosen to ban fireworks completely in Walls burg…so there are not fireworks in Wallsburg. There are also HOA’s and Timberlakes is out of an incorporated area and they have a ban 365 days a year, no fireworks. So if you’re in an area that has an HOA, check with your HOA first.
Carson says fireworks start July 2nd and they’re checking the big tanker trucks, filling them with water and making sure everything is in working order.
We are going through all the rigs and making sure they have water and we’ve all been given an assignment. We are hoping we are prepared and we’ll be able to handle it.
That’s Wasatch Fire District Public Information Officer, Janet Carson.
