With the firework season just a week away, the Utah's governor and others want Utahns to take precautions before they carelessly light any more blazes in the state.

While visiting the Mercer Canyon fire in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. said that Utah spends "too much" taxpayer money to fight fires started by campers or illegal firework use.

"This fire alone will probably cost an estimated $1 million," said Tracy Dunford, a spokesman for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, of the fire that has already burned more than 5,000 acres.

There have been 250 wildfires around the state so far this year. Sixty-one of those were started by lightning, while the remainder were human-related.

The causes of two Utah County fires that both began on June 24 are still under investigation, but it is known that the Mercer Canyon fire was caused by people.

The fire was about 40 percent contained by Tuesday evening, and Dunford estimated that it would reach 100 percent by Wednesday night. There are seven crews -- about 200 people -- fighting the fire.

The Thistle Fire in Spanish Fork Canyon burned more than 175 acres. It is 100 percent contained.

Huntsman made several recommendations to Utahns for the summer season, including watching campfires, watching for sparks when driving on unpaved roads and using legal fireworks in safe areas.

"If you don't buy your fireworks in the state of Utah, don't light them in the state of Utah," said state Fire Marshall Ron Morris.

Fires ignited by fireworks have cost the state more than $500,000 this year.

"Fighting wildfires is not free," said Huntsman. "It is an expensive endeavor."

Fire restrictions for west of Interstate 15 were issued Monday morning by the Utah Interagency Fire Center. The restrictions prohibit setting open fires outside of approved fire pits, smoking outside of a vehicle or on grassy land, lighting fireworks, and welding or grinding metal in areas of dry vegetation. The rules apply to all federal, state and private lands, until further notice by the agency.

Individuals found violating the order could be subject to fines for the suppression and rehabilitation of the fire and land. Lighting illegal fireworks carries a class B misdemeanor charge -- up to six months in jail and a maximum $1,000 fine.

Jeanette Hartog, fire prevention specialist for the Intermountain Region of the U.S. Forest Service, said that the lower elevation and different fire-fuel types west of I-15 make it more susceptible to fires.

"There are a lot of the flashy types that burn faster," said Hartog, describing the cheat grass and sagebrush.

The heat is a little ahead of schedule this year, she said, estimating that it traditionally it isn't until the middle or late July that temperatures and dry conditions mix like they have so far in 2007.

Brooke Barker is available at 344-2559 or bbarker@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.