PROVO, Utah, July 6, 2026 (Gephardt Daily) — Officials have determined fireworks caused the Slate Canyon fire and are asking witnesses to come forward.
Under the headline Public Appeal for Information – Slate Canyon Brush Fire, July 4, Provo Fire & Rescue online said the cause of the fire was “Fireworks in a fireworks-restricted area during a city-wide fireworks ban.” The Provo Police Department shared the post on its Facebook page as well.
“If you saw anything unusual, have photos or video, or have any information related to the Slate Canyon brush fire on July 4 at approximately 10:40 p.m., please contact us:
Mail to [email protected] or phone 801-852-6321
The fire is a reminder of why proactive wildfire mitigation matters, the department said., noting the Bonneville Shoreline Trail acted as a firebreak aiding in stopping the fire.
“Fuel reduction work completed along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST) helped slow the fire’s progression and prevented it from spreading farther up the hillside into heavier fuels.
“That mitigation helped keep the fire from escalating into a large wildfire requiring extensive resources, including aircraft and other costly suppression efforts that can quickly reach millions of dollars.”
This incident reinforces why Provo Fire & Rescue supports proactive wildfire prevention measures, officials said, pointing to the temporary closure BYU Y Trailhead during periods of extreme fire danger helps reduce risk in an area with a single access point, steep terrain, and significant life-safety concerns. It also underscores the importance of preventive measures such as the fireworks ban and Stage 2 fire restrictions, which are designed to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires before they start.
“Thank you for helping us protect our community and our foothills,” the department said on Facebook. “Please share this post if you were in the area on July 4.”
The fire was contained to a few acres, according to watchduty.org, the Bonneville Shoreline Trail preventing flames from moving up the hillside. A brush truck wildfire unit stayed on site overnight as a precaution.
