Utah town is torn apart after female mayor refuses to ban fireworks
Residents in a suburban Utah town were ignited with rage after its mayor decided to let locals set off fireworks during the Fourth of July weekend – despite the governor imposing a state-wide ban.
Clinton Mayor Marie Dougherty feared residents would blow up her home after she decided to allow fireworks, despite Governor Spencer Cox’s executive order imposing a temporary ban while the state battled extreme drought and wildfire conditions.
Just a week before Independence Day, the National Weather Service issued an unprecedented red flag warning in parts of the state due to high winds, temperatures and low humidity that can lead to wildfires.
Fireworks are the leading cause of human-ignited wildfires. In the weeks leading up to the holiday, over 295,000 acres in Utah burned because of rampant wildfires.
Cox’s temporary fireworks ban did allow local leaders to designate safe areas, and Dougherty opted not to impose the restrictions in Clinton.
Her constituents launched a firestorm at her for the decision, with Dougherty telling the Salt Lake Tribune that it was the most backlash she has ever received during her time as an elected official.
‘I was getting hit from all over the state,’ she said. ‘People were doxing my address all over social media, saying, ‘Let’s go light off fireworks at her house.”
Ahead of the holiday, Dougherty told Utah radio station KSL that she was being accused of ‘going rogue’ and ‘defying the governor’s ban.’
Clinton Mayor Marie Dougherty was hit with a rude awakening when she found out just how passionate her constituents were about preventing fireworks on the Fourth of July
Consumer fireworks are legal in Utah. However, recent wildfire conditions prompted the governor to temporarily ban them for the Fourth of July (file photo of fireworks in Washington DC this year)
‘I’ve just been hammered by people all over the state, screaming at me that I am the most horrible, disgusting person,’ she continued.
Cox’s decision came as dry temperatures have resulted in an influx of wildfires. Utah is currently in a drought, with a large portion of the state in severe or extreme conditions, according to the latest numbers from the US Drought Monitor.
A few days before the Fourth of July, an intense wildfire ravaged the Colorado-Utah border, resulting in the deaths of three firefighters, which Dougherty said heightened the backlash to her decision.
The Cottonwood Fire burned through over 150 miles of Utah in late June, ranking as one of the country’s most destructive fires of the year.
The wildfire prompted officials in the Southwest to warn of the dangers of fireworks. Cox called the ban a ‘temporary measure for an extraordinary year.’
Fireworks have previously caused massive wildfires. In 2024, a wildfire in California that officials believed was due to fireworks destroyed six homes and resulted in $10 million in damages.
After a teenager in Oregon set off fireworks in 2017, a wildfire ravaged over 30,000 acres outside of Portland.
Despite the risks, the Clinton mayor stood by her decision. ‘After extensive evaluation and consultation with local officials, the mayor and fire chief have decided to lift the ban for the majority of Clinton. Most of the city does not qualify as extremely hazardous,’ the mayor said in a statement at the time.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox banned fireworks over the Fourth of July holiday, but allowed city officials to make decisions for their residents
The Cottonwood Fire ravaged Marysvale, Utah ahead of the Fourth of July. Pictured above is the sun setting on the flames on June 26
The Cottonwood Fire burned through over 150 square miles of Utah, including parts of Beaver, pictured above
Utah was hammered with wildfires throughout June. The Snyder Fire near Thompson Springs is pictured above on June 28, just days before the Fourth of July
She continued that Clinton has had very few incidents involving fireworks, noting that even during extreme drought conditions in 2022, the town did not see large wildfires.
Clinton residents were advised to only light legal fireworks and have a water source nearby in case a fire breaks out.
However, the mayor’s announcement on social media was littered with negative comments, with one writing, ‘Everybody’s lawns are dying, but the churches, were in an extreme drought, and you guys think that you know better than the governor.
‘When the majority of southern Utah is under fire and a lot of support is all being pushed down south this is extremely disappointing.’
‘I disagree with this. What a shame that we don’t take the fire conditions more seriously. I drove to Southern Utah today and the fires are scary,’ another noted.
A third comment even went as far as to say that Dougherty would soon become the ‘newly crowned pariah mayor.’
Two Utah mayors had wildly different reactions to their decisions on Fourth of July fireworks
Fireworks were only permitted in certain areas of Utah over the Fourth of July. Mayors that did not support the ban were met with intense backlash (file photo)
In contrast, Bountiful Mayor Kate Bradshaw told the Salt Lake Tribune that when she decided to comply with the governor’s ban and prohibit fireworks, she received ‘thank you’ notes from her constituents.
She noted that parts of her town bordered mountains with shrubbery and trees, making it easier for a wildfire to ignite.
As Pioneer’s Day approaches, backlash could continue for Utah mayors who decide to allow fireworks. Clinton is once again opting to allow fireworks in designated zones for the holiday.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Dougherty for additional comment.