OFFICE OF GOVERNOR MATT MEAD
State Capitol
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Ph. (307) 777-7437
June 27, 2012
******FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE******
Contact:
Renny MacKay
Communications Director
renny.mackay@wyo.gov
Governor Reminds Citizens of Fire Bans and Urges Caution
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Governor Matt Mead urges all citizens and visitors to Wyoming to take extra care in the outdoors. At this time the risk of fire is extreme and there are several large wildfires burning in Wyoming and in other states.
“There is a ban on fires on all state lands. This means no open fires, charcoal grills and a prohibition on incendiary devices,” Governor Mead said. The ban on incendiary devices includes fireworks, tracer bullets and other explosives. There is also no overnight camping allowed on state lands.
So far 12 counties have instituted fire bans. Under state law the decision to institute a fire ban is made by County Commissioners. Governor Mead says this is a decision that should be made by local officials. “I appreciate the County Commissioners taking appropriate action because this fire season is shaping up to be particularly severe. The Legislature had the wisdom to leave this as a matter of local control and the County Commissioners are in the best position to review conditions near to home and decide which activities should be prohibited.”
Enforcement of fire bans is up the State Forester, game wardens and county sheriffs. State Forester, Bill Crapser, says this has already been an expensive fire season and preventing fires from starting is always the best approach. “The manpower and equipment available for fighting fires are very active already. Making sure our firefighters are focused on naturally occurring fires will keep people safe and save money. Please obey fire restrictions and use caution this summer in the outdoors,” Crapser said.
The counties with fire bans as of June 27, 2012 are: Uinta, Sweetwater, Carbon, Albany, Laramie, Natrona, Converse, Platte, Goshen, Weston, Campbell and Crook. The Game and Fish Department is banning open fires on all lands it administers in the southeastern and central parts of Wyoming.
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