Controlled burns not called in frustrate officials

The Big Horn County Sheriff’s report was filled with out-of-control controlled burns in the past week, some over the course of a burn ban.

“There were people burning everywhere,” Big Horn County Fire Warden Brent Godfrey said.

The fine for burning during a red flag warning is $100. If a fire spreads onto another person’s property, that can become a misdemeanor negligent burning charge that carries a $750 fine and/or up to six months imprisonment. One fire in Manderson over the weekend did just that, spreading to the neighbors’ property. 

Godfrey cautioned that failing to call in a burn also endangers the lives of firemen and neighbors. 

“They are tying up fire departments with calls that are unnecessary and costing fire departments money,” he noted. 

Calling in a controlled burn is always required, even without extreme conditions. Dispatch is able to alert citizens to any bans that may be in place. Burns can be called in to the Big Horn County Dispatch Center at 307-568-2324.

To conduct a safe controlled burn, Godfrey recommended having water on hand and staying with the fire until it is completely exhausted. Any fire that will produce smoke is required to be called in before it is lit.

Fire weather is expected to improve temporarily, with the National Weather Service forecasting cooler temperatures with a possibility of rain and snow Wednesday through Friday. Godfrey predicted this would finish off the Kane Fire near Lovell.