Fire Restrictions Announced For Roosevelt County
The Roosevelt County commissioners have approved issuing stage 1 fire restrictions for the county. The restrictions went into effect on Friday, July 31.
“There have been quite a few fires during the last few days,” Commissioner Robert Toavs said at a special meeting on Tuesday, July 28.
Commissioner Gordon Oelkers noted the action means no burn limits and no open flames in the county until further notice.
Officials said small backyard fires in an established fire ring and barbecues are still permitted.
Commissioners urged residents to take necessary precautions such as having water handy.
“Things are getting worse and worse,” Toavs said.
The action came after county fire warden Mike Olson made the request to commissioners. Olson wrote, “The current national wildland preparedness level is at five which means resources are stretched thin. Our local fire departments and BIA have seen a major drying of the grass fuel model in the past week with an increase of calls. To help our fire departments in fighting these wildland fires, we are asking the public to please make sure to have some form of suppression when working outdoors. Homeowners please construct a defensible perimeter around your residence. The construction of a 30-foot area of mowed grass or bare/tilled soil will assist firefighters with ability to protect structures.”
Olson explained the burn permit system will be turned off until conditions improve. This means that burn permits will not be issued; this includes the use of burn barrels. For more information on burn restrictions, visit https://www.mtfireinfo. org/.
