Gov. Spencer Cox's new "hybrid" fireworks order means Cottonwood Heights and Holladay residents face different rules when Pioneer Day arrives Friday, July 24. One city is allowing fireworks in designated areas. The other has banned them east of 1300 East through October.

Cox signed the executive order Monday, July 20, replacing the statewide fireworks ban he imposed before the Fourth of July with a city-by-city system. Each municipality's preexisting fireworks map now governs where residents can light fireworks for Pioneer Day. The state forester retains authority to impose additional restrictions, including a full citywide ban, if fire danger spikes in any community before or during the holiday window.

"The Wasatch Front has not had much moisture at all," Cox said Monday. "We're still as bad or worse than we were on July 4th in some cities, much better off in others."

State Forester Jamie Barnes said recent rain improved conditions in parts of the state but not everywhere, and urged residents to contact their city before using fireworks.

Cottonwood Heights: fireworks allowed in non-restricted areas

Under the hybrid order, Cottonwood Heights' existing fireworks map governs. The city is permitting fireworks in non-restricted areas from Wednesday, July 22, through Friday, July 25. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, extended to midnight on Pioneer Day itself, according to the city's website. Residents must check the 2026 Firework-Restricted Area Map at cottonwoodheights.utah.gov before lighting anything.

Holladay: no fireworks east of 1300 East

Holladay's rules are stricter. The City Council ratified Ordinance 2026-03A on Wednesday, June 11, banning personal fireworks in all portions of the city east of 1300 East through Thursday, October 15. The restriction covers areas including Heughs Canyon Subdivision, Tolcate Hills, the Cottonwood area around Knudsen Park, Spring Creek, Big Cottonwood Creek and Creekside Park, Neff's Creek, and Olympus Hills Park.

The ban applies to both the Fourth of July and Pioneer Day with no exceptions, according to city council records. Holladay Fire Marshal Wade Watkins told the council in April that fireworks vendor stations would carry hard copies of the restrictions map and a QR code linking to any updates.

The city cited extreme drought conditions and snowpack that stood at 15% of normal in early spring, one of the lowest levels in 130 years, as the basis for the restriction when the council voted in June.

What's different from July 4

For the Fourth of July, Cox imposed a blanket statewide ban and declared a state of emergency to give the state forester authority to restrict fireworks everywhere. The Pioneer Day order is the opposite approach: the default ban is lifted, and city-level maps take over. Cities that remain dangerously dry can still request a full ban from Barnes at any time.

The Pioneer Day fireworks window runs Wednesday, July 22, through Friday, July 25.