The Ferron and Castle Dale city councils voted to ban fireworks of any kind within the city limits of the two towns this week. Dry conditions and preservation of water resources are listed among the reasons for the decisions.

Increasing fire danger in the area coupled with taxed resources have made this an easy decision for some cities in the area. Earlier this week Helper City moved to ban fireworks and campfires in city limits.

When talking with Ferron City mayor Adele Justice today she stated that for the city council it was really not a question at all, and more of a “no-brainer”.  Citizens have thanked her for making the decision.

The mayor said that the people have done such a good job of conserving water that their lawns are dry as well, which would just be another hazard.

The ban will last in Ferron for the rest of the year, with the exception of the Peach Days celebration in September. Mayor Justice said that at that time the situation will be re-evaluated and if they need to be cancelled they will as well.

In Castle Dale, Mayor Danny Van Wagoner said that at the last council meeting he told them that if we are not going to use water in our parks, the biggest green space in the city, we don’t want to use water to fight a fire started by fireworks.

Stewart’s Marketplace has also said they will be packing up the fireworks in the store and sending them back.

Van Wagoner also stated that reaction from the community has been beyond positive and that the ban is open-ended as far as when it will be removed. The Emery County Sheriff’s Department will also be out issuing citations.

The Manti-Lasal Forest will also enter stage 1 fire restrictions on June 18 at 12:01 a.m. as well, which means you can only have a fire in a Forest Service fire pit in areas that are managed by them.