Both Weston County and the Bureau of Land Management have instituted burn restrictions effective July 22 after a spell of hot, dry weather.
“The last couple of weeks have certainly changed the landscape in regard to fire conditions,” said Daniel Tysdal, Weston County fire warden. “The hot, dry and windy conditions have cured and dried our fuels and the fire danger has moved into the high and very high categories around the area. … Given the wet spring, we have an abundance of fuel that is now ready to burn.”
He noted that the area has seen an increase in red flag warnings due to the weather and the quickly deteriorating nature of fuel in the area.
Because of the increased potential for wildfires, the county and the BLM have implemented open burning restrictions.
Stage one restrictions in the county prohibits the use of fireworks and all outdoor fires in unimproved areas. Exceptions include campfires at residences or campsites within a fire ring and with clear radius of 15 feet, trash or refuse fires between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. inside appropriate containers and a cleared radius of 15 feet, and charcoal fires in enclosed grills.
The restrictions also permit acetylene cutting, electric arc welders, metal grinding, portable stoves, lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum, pressurized liquid fuel or fully enclosed (sheepherder type) stoves and open fire branding activities in a 15-foot cleared radius.
People exempt from the restrictions include federal, state or local officers engaged in fire, emergency and law enforcement activities and any member of a rescue or fire-fighting force engaged in the performance of an official duty. The county commissioners can issue exceptions to these restrictions and closure in writing.
“These restrictions do not include the areas within incorporated cities and towns in Weston County or federal and state lands, as these entities may impose more or less restrictive regulations,” the open burning restrictions say.
Violation of the restrictions may also be in violation of Wyoming Statute 35-9-304 with the potential of serving up to 30 days in jail and up to a $100 fine, or both. In addition, any individual may be responsible for restitution for the cost of fire suppression and damages.
Tysdal has the ability to temporarily lift or re-impose the restrictions.
Burn restrictions have also been implemented on BLM-administered public lands in both Weston and Crook counties.
Under the restrictions, the BLM prohibits the building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire except with agency-provided fire grates at developed recreational sites or approved devices, including enclosed stoves and enclosed grills. Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared, is also prohibited.
BLM restrictions also prohibit the use of various cutting devices unless certain regulations are met.
“These fire restrictions are in addition to the year-round wildfire prevention restrictions on BLM-administered public land in Wyoming,” the BLM restrictions state.
These year-round restrictions include the discharge and use of fireworks, the discharge of a firearm using incendiary or tracer ammunition, the burning of various materials, operating any off-road vehicle on public lands unless it is properly equipped with a spark arrester, the use of any incendiary and pyrotechnic devices and the use of exploding targets.
People with a permit or letter of authorization specifically authorizing the prohibited act or omission and federal, state or local officers or members of an organized rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of an official duty are exempt from the burn restriction order.
Violating BLM burn restrictions is punishable by a fine of not more than $100,000, or imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both. Restitution for fire suppression and damages be imposed on any violator.
News Letter Journal 14 W. Main St. P.O. Box 40 Newcastle, WY 82701 Ph: (307) 746-2777 Fax: (307) 746-2660