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Weston County lifts open‑burning restrictions; commissioners urge coordination with federal land managers
Summary
The Weston County Commission approved a resolution lifting local open‑burning restrictions on the recommendation of county fire warden Daniel Tisdale, and commissioners asked staff to pursue better coordination with federal land managers after concerns about inconsistent fire‑ban policies on checkerboard lands.
The Weston County Commission voted to lift local open‑burning restrictions after the county fire warden, Daniel Tisdale, recommended the change because recent cooler temperatures, higher humidity and moisture reduced fire danger.
The commission approved the chairman’s signature on “Resolution 25‑24 — open burning restrictions lifted,” with a recorded motion and vote in which commissioners said “Aye.” The resolution repealed the restrictions that had been in effect since July 7, 2025.
During discussion, commissioners raised concerns about inconsistent fire‑ban policies on federal lands that intermix with private and county lands in the county’s “checkerboard” pattern. Commissioners described an incident during hunting season when a fire was discovered on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) ground the day after high winds and dry conditions; the county fire warden reportedly found and extinguished the burning fire ring. Commissioners said federal managers had lifted restrictions on some federal lands even while local conditions remained hazardous in parts of the county.
Several commissioners requested that the county invite BLM representatives to a future meeting to discuss coordinated approaches to burn restrictions so local and federal rules better align across adjacent parcels. One commissioner said the county should “stomp our foot” and ask federal managers to consider the county’s stance on fire burns to reduce confusion and risk where county and federal lands abut.
The resolution lifting open burning restrictions took effect with the chairman’s signature and the commission directed staff to pursue interagency coordination on burn policies.
