The Daily BS • Bo Snerdley Cuts Through It!
The Daily BS • Bo Snerdley Cuts Through It!

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Even deep-red Utah says this Fourth of July is too dangerous for fireworks

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When a Republican governor starts talking about statewide restrictions right before the Fourth of July, your first instinct is probably to ask, “Wait… what now?”

But Utah Gov. Spencer Cox says this one isn’t about politics. It’s about not accidentally turning half the state into one giant campfire.

Cox signed an emergency order temporarily restricting fireworks from July 2 through July 5 because, according to state officials, Utah is facing some of the worst wildfire conditions they’ve ever seen.

And before anyone starts yelling that this is another government buzzkill, consider what the state is dealing with. Utah says 94% of the state is now in severe or extreme drought. Fire crews have already responded to 354 wildfires that have burned nearly 142,000 acres this year. Even more sobering, officials say more than 75% of those fires were started by people.

Cox admitted this wasn’t a decision he wanted to make.

“Nothing about this decision was easy.”

Then he explained why.

“But this year is different. We are seeing fire behavior that even our most experienced firefighters say they’ve never witnessed before.”

Despite the social media headlines that will inevitably scream “Fireworks BANNED!”, that’s not actually what happened.

Local cities can still work with their fire chiefs to set up designated “safe areas” where fireworks can legally be used. So it’s less “Nobody gets fireworks” and more “Let’s not launch Roman candles into dry brush next to someone’s neighborhood.” That seems… reasonable.

Cox summed up the state’s thinking in one sentence:

“Our goal is to make sure our neighborhoods and communities are still standing on July 5.”

Hard to argue with that objective.

If you grew up east of the Mississippi, it’s easy to forget that Western wildfires aren’t just bigger these days—they’re faster. Utah State Forester Jamie Barnes warned that this year’s combination of drought, bone-dry vegetation and extreme weather is producing fires that “defy historical expectations.”

Fires aren’t behaving the way firefighters have come to expect. That’s why the state is increasing patrols over the holiday weekend and reminding people that starting an illegal wildfire isn’t just embarrassing—it can come with criminal charges and a bill that could make your mortgage look like pocket change.

Conservatives generally don’t cheer when government tells people what they can’t do—especially on America’s birthday.

But conservatives also tend to believe in personal responsibility.

If three out of every four wildfires are being started by people, and the woods are dry enough to ignite if you look at them funny, maybe this isn’t the year to recreate the finale from a Vegas fireworks show in your backyard.

Nobody likes giving up traditions. Nobody enjoys hearing that bottle rockets and mortars have to stay in the garage.

But nobody wants to spend July 5 watching helicopters dump water on what’s left of their subdivision either.

Utah plans to revisit the restrictions after the holiday before deciding whether similar rules are needed for Pioneer Day later this month.

Until then, the message from state officials is pretty simple: Celebrate America. Wave the flag. Grill the burgers. Eat way too much potato salad.

Just maybe don’t be the guy who turns the neighborhood into tomorrow morning’s breaking news.

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