Fire ban lifted

After a nail-biting summer of hot, dry weather and lightning storms that often created the perfect conditions for fire, fall has finally arrived.

Thanks to last week’s storm, cooler temperatures and higher levels of precipitation than have been seen over recent months, the Crook County Fire Warden has rescinded the full fire ban.

Cooler weather and more moisture are both forecast to continue into the foreseeable future, which made it possible on October 15 for the open burning restrictions to be lifted.

Fire season has been a busy one for our dedicated volunteer firefighters across the county, with new reports within the county’s boundaries continuing to appear as recently as October 8, when the Sheepnose Fire burned 1.4 acres seven miles north of Sundance. It was reported at 3 a.m. and contained just before 9 a.m. the next morning, with the cause still under investigation.

Citizens are still asked to use caution when burning. The Fire Warden warns that suspending the restrictions does not relieve citizens from their responsibility and you can still be held liable for the cost of suppression and damages caused to others if your fire gets away.

If you are planning a burn, please call the Crook County Sheriff’s Office at 283-1225 to let them know. Stir and closely monitor your fire to ensure it is completely out.