BLM Worland announces fireworks area

WORLAND – In anticipation of the Independence Day holiday, the Bureau of Land Management Worland Field Office is again making a temporary, local exception to the fireworks ban on public lands. The use of fireworks will be permitted at a gravel pit northwest of Worland from Sunday, July 1 through Wednesday, July 4.

“The BLM strives to be a good neighbor in the communities we serve and we want to provide a safe place for people to use fireworks,” said BLM Worland Field Manager John Elliott. “We are pleased to partner with the City of Worland, Worland Fire Protection District No. 1 and Washakie County to provide an integrated approach to fire management, emergency medical services and law enforcement during the holiday weekend.”

Last month, the county commissioners and Worland city council approved use of the fireworks area that is mostly on BLM land, but does incorporate some city and county land.

The first gravel pit along the road to the landfill is a good location because the area poses a low risk of wildland fire occurrence. Fireworks use is permitted only within this gravel pit and not on the Fifteen Mile Road or gravel pits north of the landfill.

Portions of the gravel pit have been reclaimed and reseeded. These will be signed so that people can avoid these sensitive areas and allow for the re-establishment of vegetation. The public is also asked to properly dispose of litter.

As an extra precaution during the holiday week, the Wind River/Bighorn Basin District Fire Crew will staff engines throughout the district to provide a quick response in the event that any wildfires are started by fireworks.

Please keep in mind that the statewide fireworks ban for all other BLM-administered lands will remain in effect for the Independence Day holiday. Also, after July 4, the ban will go back into effect for the gravel pit northwest of Worland.

Washakie County Fire Warden and Fire Protection District No. 1 Fire Chief Chris Kocher said the Worland firefighters are on scene in the evenings as the area gets busier with people shooting fireworks.

Kocher said July 1 and July 2 are not as busy, typically, as July 3-4.

BLM fire crews will be on scene the latter two days if they are available, according to BLM Fire Management Officer Rich Zimmerlee.

Kocher advises those coming out to the area to shoot off fireworks “to be responsible. This is an area where people can come out, set off their fireworks. They are able to spread out through the area.” He added, “We do ask people to please help us help them, pick up after yourself.” He said dumpsters will be onsite for people to dump their fireworks and other trash.

Kocher also advises county property owners to use caution this Fourth of July.

“If you are going to shoot off fireworks on your own property, have a water source available,” he said. “If a fire moves on them, immediately call fire department. There’s a lot of fuel out there from last year, that burns very readily. We have had multiple lightning strikes already this year. The grass and fuel out there can be a little deceptive.”