(Lander, WY) – The Fremont County Commissioners convened for a special meeting this morning to hear a report from Fremont County Fire Protection District Chief Ron Wempen concerning the prospect of a county-wide fire ban.
It was ultimately unanimously approved that Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will go into effect at 12 PM today, July 30.
“There is an extreme danger of fire throughout Fremont County and there is a presence of heavy fuel load and dry conditions and the high fire danger is aggravated by open burning and the use of incendiary devices,” the Commissioners noted in a press release. “Any open fire or discharge of any Class A, B and/or C fireworks is prohibited on all state and private land, including but not limited to, all lands in Fremont County or in which Fremont County owns an interest, including county roads, easements and rights-of-ways in Fremont County.”
The prohibition is subject to exemptions, which can be viewed here.
Chief Wempen said his suggestion to the Commissioners was based on a “number of things,” including the number of recent fires, current weather conditions resulting in many dry areas, and what partners and other federal agencies are doing.
Wempen commented that BLM restrictions are likely to go out this week, but was unsure at the time for areas in the National Forests. Fire restrictions are currently in place for the Wind River Reservation.
Wempen added that there will be exemptions and allowances for those in the agricultural community, but requested that farmers and ranchers notify the dispatch center and stay on scene while the fires burn.