The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
Green grass as far as the eye can see has been a welcome change from droungt - but brings its own fire dangers.
A full burn ban will be in effect across the county beginning July 22. Fire Warden Doug Leis sought the blessing of the Crook County Commissioners last week to implement the restrictions, anticipating that what started as a moisture-filled summer may turn more dangerous in the coming weeks.
"Everybody has been really enjoying this nice, green grass – and a lot of it – but it's just going to be a lot more to burn when it dries out," Leis explains.
After a long period of drought, this will change the nature of wildland fires as and when they do occur.
"Last year, we couldn't wait to get the fires out of the trees and into the grass because there wasn't any, but this year we're going to want to keep it in the trees," he says.
"There's a lot of grass out there, and when it gets into the grass, it really picks up speed and really gets going."
With this in mind, Leis decided to be proactive in his efforts to keep the county safe from fire.
"We talked about it at the commissioners' meeting and decided that, in two weeks, with the way the weather is going to be, it's going to be plenty dry so we'll just implement the ban and get ahead of the curve," he says.
The commission passed a resolution implementing the ban until further notice, imposing burning restrictions throughout the county. Any violation may result in up to 30 days of jail time and up to a $100 fine, as well as restitution for the cost of fire suppression and damages to others caused by the violation.
According to the resolution, fireworks and outdoor fires including trash, camp and charcoal fires are now prohibited in the unincorporated areas of the county.
Smoking is prohibited except in enclosed vehicles or buildings, developed recreation sites or in a barren area at least three feet in diameter and cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco must be extinguished and disposed of properly and must not be thrown from vehicles.
Petroleum fueled stoves, lanterns and heating devices must meet the fire underwriters' specifications for safety. Acetylene cutting torches and electric arc welders must be used in a cleared area ten feet in radius with a fire extinguisher and shovel present at the site.
Propane and open fire branding activities are permitted, if in cleared areas ten feet in radius with a shovel and fire extinguisher present. Internal and external combustion engines including ATVs and chainsaws must have approved spark arrestors. Chainsaws must also be used with a shovel and fire extinguisher present.
All other burning or outdoor fires are prohibited, except when authorized through a permit from the fire warden.
