Yellowstone County will adopt fire restrictions that will go into effect on July 1, even though the county has received seven inches of rain since the beginning of May and the countryside has never looked so green. But all that green is the rapid growth of a lot of vegetation, which once it starts drying out, will provide a lot of kindling for fire.
Concern that this will all culminate at the same time as Independence Day fireworks celebrations, prompted two of the three county commissioners to enact Stage 1 restrictions on open burning which includes the prohibition of setting off fireworks on public lands.
K. C. Williams, Yellowstone County’s Emergency Services Coordinator as well as being the Rural County Fire Warden, told County Commissioners on Tuesday when they passed the measure that there have already been fires in the state and that the forecast is for a warmer summer than normal and dryer than normal conditions, which likely means a hotter fire season. Officials are predicting, in fact, that fire- fighting resources are going to be very limited because of high demand.
Williams said that six fire chiefs in the county were opposed to enacting Stage 1 restrictions, and three were supportive. Williams said that his recommendation was to impose the restrictions which are minimal enough not to negatively impact commerce nor most outdoor recreation such as camping, etc.
Commissioner Denis Pitman voted against the proposal saying, “If we want to block fireworks, let’s be honest and say so. I don’t think it is fair to do a resolution.”
Commissioner John Ostlund replied that the commissioners do not have the authority to prohibit fireworks, and in fact, a state law specifically says they cannot prohibit fireworks.
The commissioners took up the issue early because they will not meet again until July 5. The commissioners will be attending the Montana Association of County Officials (MACO) on June 27 and 28, and will not hold a meeting on Tuesday, June 28
