Commissioners Address Partial Fire Restrictions in Sheridan County

With record breaking temperatures creating hot-dry conditions, wildfire danger has changed, creating critical fire conditions.

While appearing on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse, Sheridan County Commissioners Lonnie Wright and Nick Siddle, said based on the recommendations of County Fire Warden Chris Thomas and rural fire department Chiefs, the implementation of Partial Fire Restrictions went into effect on July 8.

Commissioner Wright said with recent years bringing arid dry conditions the particle fire restrictions have become commonplace for many residents. 

  L. Wright

Open Burning: All open burning outside incorporated cities is prohibited. Federal lands within the County may have different restrictions. Gas and Charcoal fires are permitted when contained within enclosed grills.

15 feet clear: Ensure there is no flammable material within 15 ft. when welding, grinding, cutting torches, recreational backyard fires, branding activities and burn barrels. In addition, trash or refuse fires are permitted only between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m., in a container provided with a spark arrester (a heavy gauged metal screen with no larger than 1/4-inch openings in the screen).

No Fireworks: The discharge of all fireworks, including exploding targets, is strictly prohibited unless a Permit for Supervised Public Display of Fireworks is granted by the Board of County Commissioners.

Recreational Fires: Small recreational fires are allowed at residences, provided there is at least 15 ft. of green grass, or an area cleared of flammables around the fire. This provision allows for small fires for cooking, warmth, religious, ceremonial, or other special purposes.

No Restrictions on smoking, it is advisable to install spark arrestors or screens on cabin chimneys.

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