Warden lifts fire restrictions

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Colder weather and snow gave the Weston County Fire Protection District a much-needed reprieve from the harsh fire conditions that have affected the county in 2020. With the much-needed moisture and cooler temperatures in recent days came the suspension of fire restrictions, according to Fire Warden Daniel Tysdal, although he said that the county is not completely in the clear.
“Due to the current precipitation and forecasted cooler temperatures throughout Weston County for the foreseeable future, the open burning restrictions are being suspended,” Tysdal said. “However, residents are still urged to use caution in doing any outdoor burning. The suspension of the open burning restrictions does not relieve any individual from their responsibility to ensure their fire does not escape, and each individual can still be liable for suppression costs and damages caused to others if their fire gets away.” 
Any fires should be adequately monitored and suppressed to prevent a possible wildland fire, he said. 
Tysdal reported that humans were responsible for 30 of the fires in the county this year, with a total of 552.13 acres burned. In addition to the human-caused fires, the fire district also suppressed 24 natural-caused fires that burned a total of 190.81 acres. 
“That puts us at nearly as many wildland fires this year as in 2017, 2018, and 2019 combined and just over the 10-year average number of wildland fires, which is 47,” Tysdal said. 
The fire district, Tysdal said, is encouraging the public to continue to use extreme caution in any outdoor activity that could start a fire and to call 911 immediately if one is to start.