County, BLM issue fire restrictions

Hot Springs County Commissioners, based on the recommendations of the County Fire Warden, have implemented a fire ban, effective immediately.

Any open fire or discharge of fireworks is prohibited on all unimproved State and private land, including all land owners in Hot Springs County.

Trash or refuse burning must be done between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. inside containers equipped with spark arrestors in a cleared area at least 10 feet in radius.

Other exceptions include camp fires contained within an established fire ring at an established campground, charcoal fires within enclosed grills, welding done within a cleared area of at least 10 feet in radius, branding activities and chainsaws with properly installed and working spark arrestors.

The decision was based on the amount of dry, consumable fuels throughout the county.

The Bureau of Land Management Worland Field Office is also implementing fire restrictions for all BLM-administered public lands within the boundaries of Washakie, Hot Springs Bighorn and Park counties.

Fire managers base decisions about fire restrictions on current and projected weather conditions, amount of dry vegetation, and other risk factors.

“These fire restrictions are a result of our continued coordinated relationships with our fellow wildfire cooperators within the Bighorn and Wind River basins,” said Assistant Fire Management Officer Aaron Thompson.

Under fire restrictions the following acts are prohibited:

•Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire except within agency-provided fire grates at developed recreation sites, or within fully enclosed stoves with a ¼” spark arrester type screen, or within fully enclosed grills, or in stoves using pressurized liquid or gas.

•Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

•Operating a chainsaw without a U.S. Department of Agriculture or Society of Automotive Engineers approved spark arrester properly installed and working, a chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity by weight, and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches.

•Using a welder, either arc or gas, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame, except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter with a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity.

These fire restrictions are in addition to the year-round wildfire prevention restrictions on BLM-administered lands throughout Wyoming, including:

•Discharging or using any fireworks.

•Discharging of a firearm using incendiary or tracer ammunition.

•Burning, igniting or causing to burn any tire, wire, magnesium, or any other hazardous or explosive material.

•Operating any off-road vehicle on public lands unless the vehicle is equipped with a properly installed spark arrester pursuant to 43 CFR 8343.1 (c).

The following persons are exempt from the order:

•Persons with a permit of letter of authorization specifically authorizing the prohibited act omission.

•Any Federal, State or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

It is important we all do our part to prevent unnecessary risks of wildfire starts. Failure to comply with fire restrictions on federal lands is punishable by law. Those found responsible for starting wildfires will also face restitution costs.

 For more information on rules and restrictions regarding fire on federal lands, as well as fire restrictions in other areas, please visit http://www.blm.gov/wyoming-fire-restrictions or contact Thompson at 307-332-8472.