Public comment sought on proposed burning regulations

WORLAND - The public is invited to give their input and comment for a draft of temporary Washakie County Burning Resolution. The public meeting will take place at 4 p.m. Feb. 16 in the Conference Room at the Worland Community Center Complex.

The draft of the temporary regulations authorizes the Washakie County Fire Warden, Chris Kocher, “to issue temporary burn restrictions as needed which it shall at his discretion be in effect during times of National Weather Service issued Red Flag Warning and High Wind Warning in any and all locations of Washakie County.”

The draft of the regulations can be found on the county website, washakiecounty.net for interested parties.

Commission Chairman Aaron Anderson the resolution is a recommendation that has come forward in trying to address a citizen’s concern last fall about the barley burning.

“We’d like everyone to be able to take a look at the resolution before we take any action,” he said.

Washakie County Commissioner Dale Wagner said the regulations have been in the works for a while now.

Currently Washakie County had burning guidelines but the guidelines were not required for county residents to follow.

Some of the temporary regulations include extended burning hour times from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., lower wind requirements, a requirement to notify the county dispatch of the locations, access and nature of the burn, and name and contact information.

According to the new draft proposed regulations the Washakie County Fire Warden may suspend all burning based on a red flag warning or high wind warning being issued from the National Weather Service.

The Washakie County Commissioners will act on the draft resolution at their meeting March 2.

Aaron, there was a complaint about the barley, the resolution is what has been proposed.