The County Commissioners’ Special Meeting was called to order on June 21, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. with Chairman Patrick H. Wade, Vice-Chairman John Midkiff, Commissioner Elaine Griffith, and County Clerk Becky L. Freeman present.
Partial Fire Ban- The group discussed implememting a partial fire ban in the unincorporated areas of Niobrara County.
Chairman Wade said he had talked to Emergency Management Coordinator James Santistevan about sending out a message on IPAWS or Code Red to better inform the public about the fire ban. He didn’t think there was a cost associated with doing so.
Resolution 21-07- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to adopt Resolution 21-07 A RESOLUTION IMPOSING A PARTIAL FIRE BAN IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF NIOBRARA COUNTY
WHEREAS, a potentially severe to extreme fire situation could exist throughout Niobrara County, created by high temperatures, dry vegetation, and decreased humidity, which could create situations that over-extend the firefighting capability of local government; and,
WHEREAS, under W.S. 35-9-301, upon the recommendation of the County Fire Warden, a Board of County Commissioners may limit use of a given area in the county due to extreme fire danger, and
WHEREAS, the 2012 Fire Mobilization Plan, promulgated by the Wyoming State Forestry Division, encourages the restriction of open burning in areas where dry conditions exist;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the fire danger in Niobrara County is extreme and that upon the recommendation of the County Fire Warden, the following restrictions of use be applied to all lands within Niobrara County, excluding federal lands:
That this is a partial closure, discharge of fireworks and all outdoor fires are prohibited in unimproved areas, defined as cropland, agricultural land, and undeveloped land, which predominantly remains in its natural forested or range condition, except as provided below:
• Trash or refuse fires between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., inside containers provided with spark arrestor and located within a cleared area ten feet in radius, are permitted.
• Charcoal fires within enclosed grills are permitted.
• Use of acetylene cutting torches or electric arc welders in cleared areas ten feet in radius is permitted.
• Propane or open fire branding activities in cleared areas ten feet in radius are permitted.
• Use of chainsaws provided that the chainsaws have spark arrestors properly installed and functioning.
