Big Water adopts wildfire interface code

BIG WATER — The Big Water Town Coun­cil approved adoption of the 2024 Interna­tional Wildland-Urban Interface Code dur­ing its June 17 meet­ing, establishing new wildfire-prevention standards for future development within the community.

Big Water Town Council approved adoption of a Wildland-Urban Interface Code, intended to help protect life, property, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfire hazards in areas where development borders undeveloped land.

The ordinance incor­porates the 2024 In­ternational Wildland- Urban Interface Code into the town’s mu­nicipal code. According to the ordinance, the measure is intended to help protect life, prop­erty, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfire hazards in areas where devel­opment borders unde­veloped land.

The code includes provisions related to defensible space, fire-resistant construction, vegetation manage­ment, emergency ac­cess and other wildfire mitigation measures.

Town officials noted in the ordinance that communities located near wildland areas face increased wildfire risks as development expands. The code is designed to provide a framework for reduc­ing those risks while improving community preparedness.

The council held a public hearing on the proposal immediately before approving the ordinance. A separate public hearing was held the same evening on the town’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget.

The wildfire code was one of several items considered dur­ing the June 17 meet­ing. Council members also addressed budget matters, personnel policies, agreements involving local services and fire department operations.

Fire Chief Cameron Westenskow reported that the department is pursuing grant oppor­tunities, expects to add new paid-on-call fire­fighters and recently completed repairs to equipment used by the department.

The adoption comes as wildfire concerns re­main high across much of southern Utah and northern Arizona. Fed­eral and state agencies have implemented sea­sonal fire restrictions in many areas this year because of dry condi­tions and increased fire danger.