July can be a scary month for forest fires as the heat further dries out grasses and other flammables in the area. Add fireworks to the mix and it becomes a time in need of serious caution which added restrictions required. State fire restrictions were announced the end of June for all unincorporated private and state lands punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a hefty fine. Officials say the restrictions have helped keep the area safe this month. “We thank the state and Uintah County for being proactive and having restrictions in place,” says Uintah County Fire Marshal Jeremy Raymond. “We also thank the public for being cautious.” The holiday was pretty uneventful for fire departments with one grass fire reported in Uintah County on Pioneer Day due to an aerial firework tipping over.
