Emergency management proposes earlier burn window and Stage 1 fire restrictions amid dry forecast

Duchesne County's Emergency Management Director Josh Phillips told commissioners on March 23 that a 6–10 day forecast showing higher temperatures and lower moisture supports adopting Stage 1 fire restrictions and an earlier open-burning window.

Phillips recommended starting the burn window March 25 and ending April 15, earlier than the typical April 15–May 15 period, noting that vegetation is greening now and small controlled burns can be timed to lower overall risk. He emphasized that when residents report controlled burns, those notifications do not shield them from suppression costs or liability if a burn escapes and becomes negligent.

Commissioners discussed suppression costs and the recent basin fires; Phillips said the county is currently in a "moderate" fire stage. The proposed updates to the county ordinance will be considered at an upcoming public hearing where the commission will take formal action.

No formal vote on the ordinance occurred at the March 23 meeting; the transcript records a recommendation and planned follow-up rather than an adopted rule.