Fire restrictions take effect as Wyo. dries out

Wyoming hasn't had any big wildfires so far this year but several weeks in a row of warm, dry weather have led to the state's first widespread fire restrictions this year. Partial fire restrictions take effect Tuesday for Medicine Bow National Forest in southeast Wyoming. The restrictions prohibit campfires outside designated, metal fire pits. Similar restrictions take effect Wednesday for many U.S. Bureau of Land Management lands in central and eastern Wyoming. Four major wildfires were burning in Wyoming at this time last year. Wyoming has had only few small fires this year but State Forester Bill Crapser says the backcountry is dry and getting drier. Medicine Bow National Forest spokesman Larry Sandoval says only widespread, sustained rainfall will do much to reduce the fire risk at this point.