Utah Officials Cite High Fire Danger

Extremely dry conditions have prompted Utah officials to implement a series of fire restrictions aimed at preventing wildfires.

Federal officials from the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service announced the restrictions will take effect Thursday.

The temporary rules prohibit any use of fireworks and ban fires unless they are in permanently constructed fire grates in a developed park, campground or picnic area.

Smoking is banned except in enclosed vehicles or buildings, a developed recreation site or an area barren of combustible material within 3 feet.

Massive wildfires in the drought-parched West have tested state and federal crews in recent days.

In Colorado, a 68-square-mile blaze has damaged more than 100 structures and forced hundreds of people from their homes.