Areas of Manti-La Sal National Forest have fire restrictions now in effect

MANTI—Stage 2 fire restrictions took effect Friday, July 10 across the Manti-La Sal National Forest as federal officials responded to high fire danger and severe fire weather conditions.

The restrictions, issued by the U.S. Forest Service, are scheduled to remain in place through Oct. 31 unless rescinded earlier. The order applied to all national forest lands in the Manti-La Sal National Forest, including the Sanpete, Ferron, Price and Moab ranger districts.

Under the restrictions, campfires, charcoal fires and stove fires are prohibited. The only exception allow stoves, grills and fire pits fueled by liquid petroleum or gas that can be turned  off and where used in an area where flammable materials have been within 10 feet of the device.

Smoking is prohibited except inside an enclosed vehicle or building.

The order also prohibits operating chainsaws and other internal combustion equipment for activities such as felling trees, bucking, skidding, processing, road building and woodcutting. Welding, grinding and using acetylene torches or other open-flame equipment are also prohibited.

Motor vehicles and any motor-driven equipment, including generators, cannot be operated or used off designated national forest roads, motorized trails or established parking areas unless they are parked in an area free of vegetation within 10 feet of the vehicle or equipment.

Several activities remain prohibited on national forest lands regardless of fire restriction levels. Those include possessing or using fireworks or exploding targets, blasting or using explosives, firing tracer or incendiary ammunition and operating combustion engines without an approved spark arrestor.

Violating the order could result in a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by fines of up to $5,000 for individuals or $10,000 for organizations, up to six months in jail, or both.

For more information, call the Manti-La Sal National Forest supervisor’s office at (435) 636-3500.