WASATCH/DUCHESNE COUNTIES, Utah, July 3, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — The U.S. Forest Service Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest wants the public to be aware that some roads are closed for public and firefighter safety while crews battle the Dollar Ridge Fire.
The following roads are closed:
- Reservation Ridge road (Forest Service road #147) is closed from the Forest boundary on the Spanish Fork Ranger District north to Willow Creek road (Forest Service road #754), then going south and west along the Willow Creek road to the intersection with the Left Fork White River road (Forest Service road #131).
- The Right Fork White River road (Forest Service road #081) is closed from the Forest boundary northeast to the Reservation Ridge road (Forest Service road #147)
- Forest Service road #118 is closed at the intersection with Forest Service road #375,
The Forest Service is also reminding the public that all fireworks and any other pyrotechnic devices are prohibited on all National Forest lands, not only during the summer months, but all year long.
In a Facebook post Tuesday night, the Forest Service said, “According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year and result in an average of $43 million in direct property damage.
“A random spark can quickly escalate into a wildfire, especially under dry, windy conditions.”
They advise everyone visiting the forest lands:
- Be especially careful when towing trailers or boats, as dragging safety chains can cause sparks and ignite roadside vegetation.
- Use provided metal campfire rings in developed sites.
- Don’t leave campfires unattended, and make sure they are dead out when you leave.
- All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and motorcycles, should have properly installed and maintained spark-arresters.
- Exploding targets and tracer or incendiary bullets are prohibited on National Forest lands.
Taking these precautions and leaving the fireworks at home will help everyone have a safe, happy Fourth of July.
