Fireworks for all — County dropping drought status as a result of spring moisture
Drought conditions in Weston County continue to improve, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. As of June 17, 34.65% of the county is listed as drought free. This is up from the 0% reported in the story. — Screenshot U.S. Drought Monitor
Fireworks will be allowed everywhere but Upton for the 4th of July this year after the Weston County Fire District board decided not to ask for the implementation of open burning restrictions until July 7, according to Daniel Tysdal, Weston County’s fire warden.
“Given the weather conditions we’ve been experiencing the past couple of months, they hoped we could make it until then so everyone could enjoy the 4th of July holiday with fireworks, but felt following that, our normal seasonal summer drying and now abundance of fuels will warrant the implementation of the restrictions,” Tysdal said.
Aaron Woodward, warning coordination meteorologist with the NOAA/National Weather Service in Rapid City, said that Newcastle specifically has received 9.04 inches of rain so far this year.
“So far, Newcastle has reported 0.98 inches of rainfall for the month of June,” he said. “May has been the wettest month so far, as Newcastle reported 4.05 inches for the month of May.”
While that moisture is welcome, Tysdal said it can create an abundance of fuels which could impact fire danger later in the summer.
“The cheatgrass and other cool season grasses are already turning, and we’ve started having lightning-caused fires now, which is indicative that conditions are beginning to deteriorate the warmer and drier it becomes,” Tysdal said. “Even with the good moisture we’ve received this spring, Weston County is still dry and struggling to recover from drought conditions.”
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, as of June 12, 2.2% of Weston County is in D2 or severe drought, 37% is in D1 or moderate drought, and 100% is in D0 or abnormally dry drought. Tysdal told the News Letter Journal that the northwest half of the county is in D0 drought, the southeast half of the county is in D1 drought, and the extreme southeast corner is listed as being in D2 drought.
Just last week, 21.67% of the county was in D2 drought, while three months ago it was at 61.11%. To kick off 2025, the entire county was listed as being 100% in D2 drought.
Firework safety
“As we move closer to the 4th of July holiday, extreme caution is urged, as warm and windy weather can cause fire conditions to change quickly, and local forecasts are calling for periods of hot dry weather as we move into summer,” Tysdal said. “Folks need to use common sense if lighting fireworks.”
He said people should light fireworks in a clear space, preferably large areas of bare ground, gravel or concrete. People should also make sure to have fire suppression means available.
“If a fire starts that cannot be readily suppressed, be sure to call 911 right away so firefighters and equipment can be dispatched to the scene — be prepared to give good directions to the location of the fire,” Tysdal said.
Those celebrating the holiday should also clean up after themselves and remain in the area for at least 30 minutes to ensure that a fire does not start from smoldering embers.
“Fireworks are prohibited on federal and state lands and inside the town of Upton. The city of Newcastle allows fireworks from noon until midnight on July 4th,” he said.
In addition to personal fireworks, Tysdal said the Newcastle Volunteer Fire Department will be shooting off fireworks on July 5.
Fire incidents to date
According to information provided by Tysdal via Facebook, the county has responded to several fire reports with varying results, including the discovery of a controlled burn and one report that resulted in no fire being found.
However, on June 10 county resources responded to a haystack fire on the Upton Fairview Road. Over the four-day incident, he said, approximately 250 tons of hay were lost. Responding to the fire were five engines, three tenders, one dozer and two command units.
County resources, along with Wyoming State Forestry Division resources, also responded to a timber fire northwest of Newcastle. The fire was contained at approximately a fourth of an acre in dead and downed fuels, with five engines, two tenders and three command vehicles responding.