SALT LAKE CITY - Real Salt Lake and Rice-Eccles Stadium were notified by the University of Utah Fire Marshall Mike Halligan that tonight's Pioneer Day Fireworks Show, presented by Comcast, has been cancelled due to "extremely dry conditions" and the subsequent cancellations of pyrotechnic permits at University of Utah events during Pioneer Day festivities on Monday and Tuesday, despite last night's brief rainfall. The full letter of notification follows:
After reviewing the extremely dry conditions that exist at both site locations for fireworks shows this week and in light of the two fires we have had with the first two shows this month, the pyrotechnic permits have been cancelled. This decision was made after consultation with Salt Lake City Fire in the interest of fire safety, firefighter safety and protection of university infrastructure/assets.
The south practice field location is difficult to access on the west side of the reservoir, this makes fighting fires difficult and hazardous to fire crews. The location on the plaza includes the west slope of the covered reservoir in the fallout zone which again is extremely dry. A fire in this area that spreads to the north would impact the power substation site and lines which feed power to the university.
I appreciate your support and understanding of this certainly unpopular but necessary decision.
Mike Halligan
Fire Marshal
University of Utah
As consolation for the cancelled fireworks, ticket holders for tonight's XanGo Cup match featuring RSL vs. Boca Juniors will be offered a $5, 'bounce-back' ticket for this Saturday's match vs. the New England Revolution, slated to kick at 7:30 p.m. To secure the $5, 'bounce-back' ticket, attendees may bring their ticket stub for this evening's game to the Real Salt Lake Front Office, 515 S. 700 E., Suite 2R in Salt Lake City, during business hours (8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.) Wednesday through Friday this week.
