(Fremont County, WY) – At Tuesday’s Fremont County Commission meeting, the decision was made to place restrictions on fire/fireworks on county property within unincorporated areas of the county, starting June 29 at 12:01 AM. The restriction does not automatically apply inside Fremont County’s incorporated towns and cities. Each municipality will decide whether to issue its own restrictions. However, fireworks remain prohibited on public property, city-owned property and school-owned property unless specific permission has been granted.
The decision prompted questions from readers about where the new fire and fireworks restriction applies; these are the details County 10 has at this time.
County
As Fremont County Fire Protection District Chief Ron Wempen shared during yesterday’s Commission meeting, the FCFPD originally suggested that the restriction go into effect on July 5 (12:01 AM) to avoid interfering with the planned semiquincentennial and 4th of July celebrations. Following further discussion with the Commission, however, Chief Wempen agreed that an earlier restriction date was the safer decision, and the June 29 date was settled on. June 29 is also the expected date the Bureau of Land Management will implement a fire restriction, Chief Wempen added.
In a release issued by the FCFPD Tuesday evening, Chief Wempen reiterated comments he made at the Commission meeting yesterday regarding the county restriction and how it applies to each municipality, which will be left to decide whether to implement their own fire/fireworks restrictions. Simply put, fireworks are still a go within each municipality until further notice, just not on public property or city/school-owned property without specific permission.
“This Restriction extends only to property within unincorporated areas of the county, as each municipality regulates land within its own boundaries and therefore is up to the towns and cities,” Chief Wempen explained again. “Any open fire or discharge of any Class A, B, and/or C fireworks is prohibited on all Wyoming State and private land, including but not limited to, all lands in Fremont County or in which Fremont County holds or owns an interest, including county roads, easements, and rights-of-ways in Fremont County.”
The American Pyrotechnics Association explains the difference between fireworks classes thusly:
- Consumer Fireworks (formerly known as “Class C” Fireworks) – Also known as 1.4G Fireworks. These devices are most commonly sold at neighborhood stands during the Fourth of July season.
- Display Fireworks (formerly known as “Class B” Fireworks) – Also known as 1.3G Fireworks. These are the fireworks used in large community displays run by licensed professionals (pyrotechnicians). These devices are not intended for use by consumers.
Class A fireworks are the “most heavily regulated, commercial-grade explosives,” and include “high explosives like dynamite and TNT, as well as bulk flash powders. These items are strictly for industrial or professional use and are entirely illegal for consumers to possess or detonate.”
Municipalities
In response to the county restriction, County 10 reached out to the municipalities to find out if they are following suit and imposing their own restrictions.
- Hudson: The Town of Hudson shared a post on its official Facebook page yesterday, stating, “Fire danger is extreme in Wyoming right now, and grass and sage will ignite and burn very easily. As always, fireworks are prohibited in Hudson Town Limits. Please be safe this season and only attend approved, sponsored fireworks displays.” Mayor Sherry Oler explained that this is per an original Town ordinance dating back to September 10, 1996.
- Lander: Lander Mayor Missy White shared that the City of Lander has not enacted any restrictions at this time.
“Fire Chief Eric Siwik and Fire Administrator Chris Johnson note that fuel loads and moisture levels are very different in town compared to the county,” Mayor White said. “We do remind residents to be prudent: mow lawns and empty lots; be respectful of neighbors, have a hose at hand. Weather conditions continue to be monitored, and should conditions change to create hazards such as high winds, restrictions may be enacted.”
“Bryan Neeley, one of the board members who puts on the Lander Fireworks show, Commissioner Mike Jones and myself discussed the Lander show,” Mayor White said regarding the annual fireworks show in Lander, which now takes place near the Wyoming Life Resource Center grounds. “The grounds span both city and county. The board planning the show has an appropriate plan in place, and will request an exemption from the County Commissioners at next Tuesday’s meeting.”
“Personal fireworks will be allowed inside city limits, unless weather conditions change,” Mayor White further explained, adding that “no fireworks are allowed on any public property, city-owned or school-owned,” as is the normal requirement each year.
Mayor White concluded by stating: “Lander has a long tradition of many unique elements for the public to celebrate the 4th, from lining Main St with lawn chairs in advance of the parade, the open-container option, to personal fireworks. These things make for an exceptionally vibrant celebration of our nation’s independence. My hope is that residents and visitors will act responsibly, step in and urge those who are getting too exuberant to rein it in, so that these traditions can continue.”
- Dubois: Dubois Mayor Patricia Neveaux stated that “No final determination on fireworks will be made until this evening at our Town Council meeting at 6:00 P.M.”
Shoshoni and Riverton representatives have not yet replied to County 10’s questions, but we will provide updates as they become available.
County Restriction Specifics/Exemptions
For the county restriction, the FCFPD provided the following specifics/exemptions in its release:
- Trash or refuse burned between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. inside containers equipped with spark arresters and are located within a cleared area that has at least fifteen (15) foot radius, and comply with all other laws and requirements.
- Camp fires at residences or campsites contained within an established fire ring, or portable fire pits with screens or spark arrestor system within a minimum of a fifteen (15) foot cleared radius of burnable materials.
- The use acetylene cutting torches, electric arc welders, or metal grinding requires a cleared radius of fifteen (15) feet.
- The use of portable stoves, enclosed grills, lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum, pressurized liquid fuel or fully enclosed (sheepherder type) stove and open fire branding activities in a cleared radius of fifteen (15) feet of burnable materials is permitted.
- Use of chain saw provided the chain saw has spark arresters properly installed and functioning.
- Federal, State or local fire or law enforcement officers participating in fire, emergency, and law enforcement activities.
- A member of the public who is burning agricultural vegetation within the confines of land that can be irrigated, provided that:
- The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office has been notified of the burn
- The individual remains at the site with water supply for suppression means until the burn is completed and the fire extinguished
- All burning must be completed between 6-10 AM in the morning
The release notes that the County Fire Warden “shall promptly notify the Board of County Commissioners of any changes in the severity of the fire danger.”
“W.S. §35-10-207 will be strictly enforced which imposes a fine not to exceed $750 or imprisonment not to exceed sixty (60) days or both,” the release also informs. “It is always an individual’s responsibility for any unwanted fire that damages another’s property.”
“There is an extreme danger of fire throughout Fremont County this year with ongoing drought conditions,” Chief Wempen added. “The possibilities of fire ignitions and rapid fire growth are more of an issue this year than have been seen previously. Now with the high fire danger, unwanted fires are being caused by open burning and the use of incendiary devices. …This Restriction has been placed into effect at this time in the utmost concern for public and firefighter safety, and property preservation. This year is exceptional, and relief with moisture has not been received during limited weather events. Current predictions show no relief for the season and continued hot, windy, and dry conditions.”
County 10 will continue to monitor any further restrictions as the situation progresses.