Use caution with fireworks and recreating

Being the week of the Fourth of July, Worland Fire Chief Chris Kocher advises extra caution this year.

“We are expecting to stay drier and hotter than average ... There is heavy loading of readily available fuel; it’s a time when everyone needs to be cautious, whether they’re off-roading out in the badlands or shooting off fireworks,” said Kocher.

With dry conditions at present, Kocher advises that it doesn’t take much to start a fire right now. He cited a fire that occurred on June 25, when someone launched a firework from the roadway off of Fifteen Mile Road that landed on private property and burned just under 8.5 acres of grass before being contained. A post from the fire department about the incident on Facebook stated, “Please use fireworks wisely and responsibly.”

Kocher said, “As a reminder, fireworks are not allowed within city limits, or public lands outside city limits. The only public place for community members to set off fireworks is the Gravel Pits on Fifteen Mile Road, and it’s only legal to do so on July 3 through July 5.”

He added, “We work with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the City of Worland and Washakie County to make that area available. In the evenings we will have fire crews from the BLM and Worland Fire Department, as well as EMTs on standby. Law enforcement will occasionally be stopping by as well.”

Kocher said that these authorities fully anticipate there to be fires at the pit, but knowing where the fires are and locating them quickly is a huge advantage. “It’s inevitable that there will be small fires out there; we recognize that, but it’s in an area that’s relatively contained and will be closely monitored. We won’t have to worry about fires growing out of control and

impacting homes,” he said.

Kocher advises that if someone chooses to use fireworks on private land, they should recognize the risks that will be present where they plan to launch and always keep water on hand in the event of a fire.

He further advises that if a fire does start, the first thing you should do is call 911 to get firefighters on it as quickly as possible. He said, “This time of year fires grow pretty rapidly; we don’t want somebody trying to contain a fire in shorts and flip-flops, it’s a quick way to end up with somebody burned. Call 911 immediately.”

As a closing remark, Kocher reminded that the Worland Fire Department is always looking for volunteers. “Many hands make light work,” he said. Contact the Worland Fire Protection District at 307-347-6379 for more information on volunteering, firework safety or other concerns.