Wildland Fire

Fire Restrictions

Cedar Breaks National Monument implements fire restrictions when necessary to protect the public, natural and scenic values and the environment. Fire restrictions are implemented in stages depending on current conditions. The park's current fire restrictions are listed on the Current Conditions page. Restrictions are issued by the park superintendent and are legally binding under the authority of Title 54 USC Section 100751(a), and Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 1, Parts 1-7.

When implementing stage one fire restrictions, the park superintendent will issue the following order:

Pursuant to regulations of the Department of Interior, Title 54 USC section 100101 (a) and 36 Code of Federal Regulations, subsections 1.5 Closure and public use limits (a) (1), 2.13 Fires (a) (5) (c), 2.21 Smoking (a), and 2.38 Explosives (b) (c), the following acts are prohibited on the area, roads, and trails described below until rescinded by the Superintendent of Cedar Breaks National Monument.

  • Setting, building, maintaining, attending or using open fire of any kind, except campfires and charcoal fires within agency approved fire pits and grills provided for in developed recreation sites and picnic areas or under permanently improved places of habitation. Devices fueled by petroleum or LPG products are allowed in all locations
  • Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material down to mineral soil.
  • Discharge or use any kind of fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices. They are prohibited at all times on all federal public lands.

The following persons are exempt from the order:

  • Those persons with a permit authorizing the otherwise prohibited act, or in those areas authorized by written posted notice in the area of operation. Permits may be obtained from Cedar Breaks National Monument.
  • Any federal, state, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

Area Description:
All lands within the boundaries of Cedar Breaks National Monument.

Violation of the above, prohibited acts is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 and/or
imprisonment for not more than six months, or both (43 CFR 9212.4).

When implementing Stage Two restrictions, the park superintendent will issue the following order:

Pursuant to regulations of the Department of Interior, Title 54 USC section 100101 (a) and 36 Code of Federal Regulations, subsections 1.5 Closure and public use limits (a) (1), 2.13 Fires (a) (5) (c), 2.21 Smoking (a), and 2.38 Explosives (b) (c), the following acts are prohibited on the area, roads, and trails described below until rescinded by the Superintendent of Cedar Breaks National Monument.

  • Setting, building, maintaining, attending or using open fire of any kind. Devices fueled by petroleum or LPG products are allowed in all locations
  • Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle.
  • Discharge or use any kind of fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices. They are prohibited at all times on all federal public lands.

The following persons are exempt from the order:

  • Those persons with a permit authorizing the otherwise prohibited act, or in those areas authorized by written posted notice in the area of operation. Permits may be obtained from Cedar Breaks National Monument.
  • Any federal, state, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

Area Description:

  • All lands within the boundaries of Cedar Breaks National Monument.

Violation of the above, prohibited acts is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both (43 CFR 9212.4).

 

Prescribed Fire

Prescribed fire is a management tool in which under certain conditions (wind speed, direction, relative humidity, fuel moisture, etc.) fire is reintroduced into an area in which fire has, historically, been suppressed. Science has proven that many of these areas actually require periodic fire to maintain them in a healthy state. For instance, some trees' seeds are dependent on the high temperatures generated by fire to release their seeds. These areas are called fire dependent ecosystems.

The park conducts prescribed burns through small "pile burning" during winter months when there is sufficient snowfall to protect the park and surrounding resources. In order to avoid a catastrophic fire and return the area to it’s natural state; prescribed fires are conducted when conditions are favorable. Whenever the park conducts prescirbed burns, news releases, social media posts, and community notices are distributed.

 

Last updated: June 16, 2023

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Cedar Breaks National Monument: Administrative Office
2460 West Highway 56 Suite #6

Cedar City, UT 84720

Phone:

(435) 986-7120

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