Utah governor orders ban on fireworks as wildfires rage across state

Utah governor Spencer Cox declared a state of emergency and issued a temporary ban on personal fireworks on June 26, 2026, in response to an escalating wildfire season. This executive order, effective until July 5, 2026, grants the state forester the authority to prohibit fireworks statewide. The ban is particularly significant as it overrides a 2024 law that had restricted the state forester's ability to ban fireworks within municipal boundaries. The wildfires have already necessitated evacuations in Eureka, a town located approximately 80 miles south of Salt Lake City, and have led to widespread red-flag warnings across the state. This proactive measure aims to mitigate the risk of further ignitions, which are often exacerbated by dry conditions and high winds, especially during the summer months when fireworks usage typically increases.