Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
WORLAND – Since June 18, the Worland Volunteer Fire Department has answered 33 fire calls in the city and county, with 10 since July 1. During the supervision of a controlled fireworks area in Worland, the department put out 20-30 small fires, started by fireworks.
“The [Worland] gravel pits are now off limits for fireworks, as well as BLM (Bureau of Land Management) lands and in city limits,” noted Fire Chief Chris Kocher. “If people want to set off unused fireworks on private land, I highly suggest they find a brush-free area, and have water standing by.”
While the use of the gravel pits for public fireworks provided a safe opportunity for the community, supervised by the fire department, dry conditions in the county have still resulted in an increase in fires.
Kocher noted that most recent fires were started by lightning and garbage burning, with the majority by fireworks.
Although the department was on-hand to put out any fires at the gravel pit, Kocher and his crew did a pre-burn and cited good cooperation between the Bureau of Land Management and the county in mitigating any further fire damage.
Kocher noted that Boy Scout Troop 5025 helped recover all used fireworks from the gravel pit area, to discourage any late-starting fires from unexploded or malfunctioning fireworks.