Utah County lifts ban on shooting in dry rural areas

PROVO — After an influx of heated comments and cooler temperatures, the Utah County Commission has lifted a shooting ban in the unincorporated areas of Utah County.

The commission first imposed a no-shooting ordinance July 10, after declaring a "state of emergency" in Utah County because of high temperatures and dry conditions.

"We took the best information available and made a decision," said Utah County Commissioner Larry Ellertson. "It seems to have been successful in the way it has worked in terms of fire."

The ban, which also included open fires and fireworks, was originally scheduled to be in place until Aug. 7. However, it was extended based on the continuing dry and hot conditions, Ellertson said.

It was rescinded Tuesday because of improving conditions, he said, rather than remaining till Sept. 7, the original end date.

A statewide ban on fireworks, campfires, smoking and shooting with tracer, or military, ammunition put in place July 4 will also be lifted in select areas as of 12:01 a.m. today.

However, the ban is still in place for areas west of I-15 in Utah, Salt Lake, Tooele and Box Elder Counties, said Tracy Dunford, fire management officer with the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.

There have been no major fires in Utah County since the County Commission's ban was put in place. Before the ban, however, the county had responded to several dangerous, expensive fires.

The Moffida fire that burned into the Mercer fire near Lake Mountain west of Utah Lake was determined to be related to target shooting.

That fire complex destroyed nearly 8,495 acres with 3,300 of those blamed on the Moffida fire, said fire information officer Teresa Rigby.

"Although it may not be a really common cause of fires, it is a documented cause of fires," Rigby said of shooting.

"When we first did it, we were told that there was a danger, and there was a danger," said Commissioner Gary Anderson. "I know you can start a fire by shooting, because this guy has done it," Anderson said, motioning to Ellertson who sheepishly raised his hand.

Now with hunting season approaching, everyone's goal is to still keep the fire numbers low.