Utah Governor Spencer Cox speaks to press following Charlie Kirk’s assassination

Utah Governor Spencer Cox, a Republican, has issued a temporary statewide restriction on personal fireworks for the Fourth of July due to wildfire conditions and severe drought across the state.

The move comes as Americans prepare to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.

On Thursday, Cox signed Executive Order 2026-04, declaring a state of emergency and granting the Utah State Forester expanded authority to prohibit the discharge of fireworks.

The restrictions are in effect from July 2 through July 5, through the holiday weekend.

Municipal leaders, working with local fire chiefs and officials, can still choose to designate specific “safe areas” where personal fireworks may still be allowed.

If no safe areas are designated in a community, the full state-level restriction applies.

The executive order temporarily suspends a portion of state law that previously limited the state forester’s ability to restrict fireworks inside city limits.

Officials have stated that increased patrols will be conducted in high-risk areas, and violations can result in criminal and civil penalties.

Cox explained his decision in a post on X.

The governor wrote in full:

When the people who’ve dedicated their lives to protecting Utah tell us that this year is different, we need to listen.

Our firefighters are risking their lives to protect Utah. Right now, they need our help.

Today, I signed an executive order to temporarily restrict fireworks statewide through July 5.

More than 75% of Utah’s wildfires have been human-caused, and the danger to lives, homes, and our firefighters is simply too high.

This order gives local leaders, working with their fire chiefs, the flexibility to identify where fireworks can still be used safely.

I love celebrating the Fourth with fireworks, but this year is different. Our goal is to make sure our neighborhoods and communities are still standing on July 5.

Conditions will continue to be monitored closely in the days leading up to the holiday.

The post Utah Governor Spencer Cox Bans Fireworks Statewide for America’s 250th Anniversary appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.