Update: The restriction on recreational target shooting with firearms in the WMAs listed below was lifted Nov. 9, 2020.

Several DWR wildlife management areas temporarily closed to recreational target shooting due to wildfire concerns

Salt Lake City — Dry and hot conditions caused the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to temporarily close 17 of its wildlife management areas (WMAs) in central and northern Utah to recreational shooting of firearms, due to wildfire concerns.

Utah Fire Info reported that, as of Aug. 5, 712 wildfires in Utah had been caused by people, which is 333 more than in 2019 and 202 more than in 2018 at this same time in the summer wildfire season. So far this season, 28 wildfires have been caused by target shooting, costing nearly $1 million to taxpayers.

Wildfires destroy essential wildlife habitat, and wildlife management areas are vital to providing important wintering ranges for many wildlife species, including big game. A lot of resources go toward improving habitat in these wildlife and waterfowl management areas, which is why it is important to take measures to prevent wildfires.

The temporary restriction comes less than one week after people who were target shooting at the Richmond WMA in Cache County — shooting a .50-caliber rifle at a metal target — ignited a fire that burned 2 acres of wildlife habitat. A bullet ricochet was also the likely cause of the 438-acre Big Hollow Fire that burned near Heber City in mid-July, according to officials investigating the incident. The Big Hollow Fire burned several hundred acres of DWR's Wallsburg WMA.

"With the dry conditions, any spark can start a fire," Scott Walker, DWR northern region habitat manager said. "With firearm target shooting, sparks from metal targets aren't the only threat — a bullet or other projectile glancing off a rock is all it takes to cause a spark and a fire. Let's all do our part to prevent wildfires and to protect wildlife."

Fireworks and explosives are never allowed on any WMA, and the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands has also restricted open fires of any kind on state lands, except within the facilities designated for them in improved campgrounds, picnic areas or home sites where running water is present. DWR's WMAs do not have any established campgrounds or fire pits, so campfires aren't currently allowed on any WMAs.

Effective immediately and until fire conditions improve, target shooting with firearms is not allowed anywhere on the following WMAs:

Box Elder County

• Coldwater WMA
• Brigham Face WMA

Cache County

• Richmond WMA
• Millville / Providence WMA

Morgan County

• East Canyon WMA

Sanpete County

• White Hill WMA
• Black Hill WMA
• Six Mile WMA
• Twelve Mile WMA

Summit County

• Henefer / Echo WMA
• Kamas WMA

Utah County

• Santaquin WMA
• Dairy Fork WMA
• Lassen Draw WMA
• Spencer Fork WMA

Wasatch County

• Wallsburg WMA

Weber County

• Middle Fork WMA

DWR conservation officers will be enforcing the temporary restrictions at these WMAs. Visitors to the areas are encouraged to keep their eyes open and report any campfires or any firearm target shooting to the UTIP hotline at 1-800-662-DEER (3336).

The campfire and firearm target shooting restrictions are temporary, and the impacts the activities have on WMAs will be evaluated throughout the fire season. Find more wildfire prevention tips on the Utah Fire Info website.

During the temporary closures, Utahns still have plenty of options available for target shooting. DWR has two public shooting ranges, and there are a variety of public and private indoor and outdoor shooting ranges throughout Utah.

If you have questions or need more information, please call the DWR's Northern Region office at 801-476-2740 or the Central Region Office at 801-491-5678.