Tuesday, June 19, 2012

High Fire Danger; BLM Urges Caution During Fire Season

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) High Desert District (HDD) is warning the public that the fire danger rating for southern Wyoming is high and urges extreme caution for those recreating on public lands. Sweetwater, Carbon, Albany, Uinta and Laramie counties are experiencing energy release component (ERC) levels approaching 90 percent and higher. The ERC scale relates fuel energy potential to an area and these levels have not been seen since the summer of 2002.

Fuels located below 7,500 feet in elevation are highly susceptible to fire due to lower snow accumulation, early snow melt and unseasonably warm weather. HDD Fire Management Officer Frank Keeler says that “The lack of spring moisture has stunted most new growth for this year; however, the previous two years of grass growth is still there and very ready to burn.” Keeler requests that the public be very diligent in maintaining campfires within fire rings and making sure they are 100 percent out by touching the coals with their hands. All agricultural burns should also comply with local government permitting and notification policies. Please report wildfires immediately to 911 or the Rawlins Interagency Dispatch Center at 1-800-295-9953. “Initial attack resources have a small window for being successful and any delay could promote very large fire growth with the potential for loss of property or life,” Keeler adds.

The public is also reminded that the use of fireworks is illegal on public lands at all times and that off-highway vehicles must be equipped with Society of Automotive Engineers approved spark arresters.

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