As Utah pushes through a summer fraught with the danger of flames from crackling wildfires, Canyons is announcing a ban of all unauthorized fireworks on District properties over the summer months.

Signs prohibiting the use of fireworks on CSD campuses will be posted at schools in the coming days. The districtwide ban on fireworks — the first in Canyons’ history — has been put into place to support a statewide effort to promote public safety during a drought-riddled fire season.

The decision to ban fireworks on CSD playgrounds, playing fields, and parking lots comes right as Utah Gov. Spencer Cox announces a temporary ban on fireworks in high-risk areas across the state.

The governor’s order, which was announced Thursday, June 25, prohibits fireworks on all unincorporated private land, state-owned land, and in areas where neighborhoods border dry brush and mountain terrain.

The state restrictions will remain in effect through July 5. At that time, state officials will reevaluate conditions based on updated fire danger and drought forecasts.

While the governor’s order applies to many high-risk areas, state law leaves decisions about fireworks within city limits to local governments. Cities may prohibit fireworks in neighborhoods where hazardous environmental conditions exist, including areas near vegetation, canyons, parks, undeveloped land, and wilderness. However, municipalities cannot impose blanket citywide bans in areas that are not considered at elevated wildfire risk.

Residents are encouraged to review fireworks restrictions in their communities before lighting any fireworks. Many CSD schools are in restricted areas. 

Among local restrictions in Canyons communities:

• Sandy City prohibits fireworks in most areas east of 1300 East.
• Cottonwood Heights has published an interactive map identifying restricted areas during the summer holiday seasons. 
• Draper City also maintains an online fireworks-restriction map. 
• Unified Fire Authority offers an interactive map showing restricted areas throughout the Midvale community. 

Canyons’ on-campus firework restrictions do not apply to professionally managed fireworks displays that have been approved in advance, such as municipal celebrations, high school Homecoming activities, or other special events. Those events are conducted by licensed professionals and include standby crews from local fire departments to ensure public safety.

Canyons District encourages the community to celebrate the Fourth of July safely and responsibly by following local fireworks restrictions and helping protect schools, neighborhoods, and open spaces from wildfires.