Ordinance 2026-12
An Ordinance Prohibiting Open Fires and the Discharge of Fireworks in the Town of Springdale During the 2026 Fire Season

WHEREAS, The Springdale Town Council has a goal to reduce the threat of fires within the Town limits that could cause extensive damage in the Town; and

WHEREAS, the Hurricane Valley Fire Special Service District shares the Town’s goal to reduce the threat of fires in the Town; and

WHEREAS, the Town is authorized under Title 53, Chapter 7, Part 2, Section 225, Utah Code Annotated 1953, to prohibit the discharge of fireworks in areas with existing and historical hazardous environmental conditions; and

WHEREAS, the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands identifies the Town of Springdale as a community at high risk for wildfire;and

WHEREAS, the use of ignition sources including explosive and other fireworks within the Town of Springdale substantially increases the risk of fires; and

WHEREAS, the Springdale Town Council and the fire code official for the Town of Springdale have determined that existing and historical hazardous environmental conditions in the town necessitate controlled use of fireworks; and

WHEREAS, the Springdale Town Council finds that all of the property within the boundaries of the Town of Springdale are considered hazardous environmental conditions, including: areas that are covered in brush and dry grass; areas that are within 200 feet of waterways, trails, canyons, washes, ravines, and similar features; areas that are in the wild land urban interface area; and

WHEREAS, the Springdale Town Council further finds that ongoing drought and the historically dry winter of 2025-26 have exacerbated wildfire conditions for the 2026 wildfire season; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the authority provided under Utah Code Annotated sections 10-8-56 and 10-8-84, the Springdale Town Council determines that it is necessary and proper to prohibit open fires and the ignition or discharge of fireworks in the Town during the 2026 fire season in order to preserve the health and safety of the Town’s citizens and visitors, promote the prosperity of the Town, and to protect property in the Town; and

WHEREAS, the closure area includes SR-9 and all areas of the Town on both sides of SR-9, as indicated on the Town of Springdale’s 2026 Fireworks Restriction Map, which is adopted by reference as part of this ordinance and is on file at the town office; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Springdale’s 2026 Fireworks Restriction Map has been provided to Washington County, and

WHEREAS, this ordinance repeals and replaces Ordinance 2025-16, adopted September 10, 2025.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the Springdale Town Council that the following Chapter is adopted in Title 4 of the Springdale Town Code:

CHAPTER 9: FIREWORKS AND FIRE PREVENTION

4-9-1: FINDINGS. All of the property within the boundaries of the Town of Springdale are considered hazardous environmental conditions, including areas that are covered in brush and dry grass, areas that are within 200 feet of waterways, trails, canyons, washes, ravines, and similar features, and areas that are in the wildland urban interface area. The use of ignition sources including explosive and other fireworks within the Town of Springdale substantially increases the risk of fires.

4-9-2: FIREWORKS PROHIBITED. It is unlawful to ignite or discharge fireworks in the Town of Springdale from May 13, 2026 through February 1, 2027, or until such earlier date that fire hazard conditions in the Town have decreased and the Town Council finds the ignition or discharge of fireworks no longer creates a significant fire hazard. The term “Fireworks” under this Section has the definition provided under Title 53, Chapter 7, Part 2, Section 202, Utah Code Annotated 1953, as amended.

4-9-3: OPEN FIRES. It is unlawful to have an open fire in the Town of Springdale from June 1, 2026 through October 15, 2026 (or a later date if fire conditions persist, as determined by the Town Council). As used in this Section, the term “open fire” does not include the following:

1. The use of LPG gas/natural gas and charcoal briquettes in contained BBQ grills, covered stoves, and devices (e.g., Coleman stoves, Weber, or other BBQ grills);
2. A fire in an approved fire pit at an improved campground, provided that the campground complies with Section 4-9-4; or
3. A fire in an approved fire pit, provided that it is not left unattended.

4-9-4: CAMPGROUND FIRES.

1. A person who operates an improved campground that allows campfires shall comply with the following requirements:
   1. Issue to all customers, at check-in, a handout explaining the extreme fire danger situation and instructions about fire safety and building reduced-smoke fires;
   2. Prohibit unattended fires and enforce the prohibition; and
   3. Post fire danger signs to advise campers of extreme fire danger and to inform them that their fires will be extinguished if left unattended.
2. A person who operates a campground in violation of Section 4-9-4(A) may not have any fire within the campground for the remainder of the fire season.

4-9-5: PENALTIES.

1. A person who violates Section 4-9-2 is guilty of an infraction.
2. A person who violates Section 4-9-3 is guilty of an infraction.
3. A person who violates Section 4-9-4 is guilty of an infraction, and the person may not have any campfire in the campground until after October 15, 2026 (or a later date if fire conditions persist, as determined by the Town Council).

ADOPTED by the Springdale Town Council this 13^th day of May 2026.