Granite County stays at Stage 1 fire restrictions; officials plan signage, outreach

Granite County commissioners and staff agreed to maintain Stage 1 fire restrictions for the coming week and to expand public outreach and signage.

County staff noted multiple recent calls reporting burning activity and an increase in human-caused fires. A county official said the season’s low fuel moisture and hot forecasts make prevention critical: "I'm good at probably staying with that stage 1 until next week and look at the stage 2," Scott (county official) said.

Actions and outreach: staff said they have large banners indicating Stage 1 and Stage 2 and will place them at high-visibility locations such as town entrances, the fire hall fence and other community boards. The sheriff’s office will post messages on its channels and staff discussed borrowing or placing a highway message board to amplify the restriction notices.

Rationale: officials described recent local fires and smoldering burns that were not fully extinguished and said a proactive restriction reduces the chance of a large, human-caused fire that local resources would struggle to contain.

Next steps: staff will distribute and post banners, coordinate with the fire district and sheriff’s office for messaging and reassess restrictions next week. Officials also discussed public education on safe burn practices and enforcement options during the Stage 1 restriction.

Ending: The county emphasized prevention and stepped-up outreach while warning that rapid weather changes could require escalation to Stage 2 if conditions deteriorate.