SALT LAKE CITY — State and federal land managers are reducing fire restrictions before the Labor Day weekend, but they stress that people should remain cautious with anything that can start a fire outdoors, despite recent monsoonal moisture.

Stage 2 fire restrictions on federal, state land and privately-owned land in unincorporated areas were lowered back down to Stage 1 on Thursday, according to an order signed Wednesday evening. The most significant change is that it allows for fires in permanent metal or concrete fire pits in those areas.

Most of Utah had moved to Stage 2 fire restrictions at the beginning of August, shortly after Gov. Spencer Cox declared a state of emergency over escalating wildfires .

Fire activity has slowed down somewhat, and storms this week have provided much-

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