Fire break — Recent moisture prompts pause in Weston County fire restrictions
Photo by Walter Sprague
Open burning restrictions in Weston County have been temporarily suspended after a shift in weather conditions, according to Weston County Fire Warden Daniel Tysdal.
In an April 24 update, Tysdal said recent and forecasted precipitation, along with cooler temperatures, prompted the decision to lift Stage 1 restrictions for the next several days.
The restrictions, which had been in place since March 24 due to severe to extreme fire conditions, limited outdoor burning and other activities in unimproved areas of the county.
Despite the temporary suspension, Tysdal cautioned residents to remain responsible for any fires they start.
“The suspension of the open burning restrictions does not relieve any individual from their responsibility to ensure their fire does not escape,” Tysdal said. “Each individual may still be liable for suppression costs and damages caused to others if their fire gets away.”
He urged residents to closely monitor any burns, noting that fires should be stirred and checked for several days to ensure that they are fully extinguished before dry conditions return.
Officials are also asking residents to notify Weston County dispatch before conducting any controlled burns to avoid unnecessary emergency responses.
“Please call dispatch at 307-746-4486 extension 1 if you plan on burning so the fire department does not get paged to your controlled burn,” Tysdal said.
Tysdal added that conditions can change quickly and restrictions may be reinstated if fire danger increases again.