Sweetwater County adopts Stage 1 fire restrictions, empowers fire warden to grant limited exceptions

Sweetwater County on Aug. 13 adopted Stage 1 fire restrictions and authorized a temporary exception process to let the county fire warden grant limited waivers during the interim.

Fire Warden Allen Adams told the Board the request reflected worsening conditions, saying, “we are in severe drought in our region,” and that recent fuel moisture readings show the county has reached critical levels. He noted that neighboring land managers had already enacted similar steps: “They are have gone into stage 1 fire restrictions, and that's what I'm asking for.”

The resolution approved by the board, numbered 2025-8-CC-04 and adopted using option 3 as amended, mirrors state guidance and defines prohibited and permitted activity under Stage 1. Under the restrictions the board approved, discharge of fireworks and all outdoor fires are prohibited in unimproved areas; campfires are allowed only in enclosed fire rings with a minimum 15-foot clearance of burnable materials; charcoal fires within enclosed grills are permitted; and use of certain cutting or welding equipment is allowed with a cleared radius.

Commissioner Richards asked staff to conform the county language to the State Land Development Commission rules (cited in the meeting as under "35 9 3 0 3") and proposed changing references from "unincorporated areas" to "unimproved areas" and increasing the clearance requirement from 10 feet to 15 feet to match state guidance. The motion to adopt the amended resolution was moved by Commissioner Richards and seconded by Commissioner Tillman; the board voted unanimously to approve the measure.

Commissioners also addressed an administrative, temporary exception form included in the packet for interim events. The board approved a motion to adopt the fire restriction exception authorization form without the commissioners' signatures and to authorize the county fire warden to grant exceptions at his discretion during the period the order is in effect. That motion was moved by Commissioner Richards, seconded by Commissioner Jones, and passed unanimously.

The resolution includes a target revisit date: the board listed Sept. 3 as the date to consider an extension or rescission at the next meeting; Allen Adams noted Ashley National Forest has set an end date of Oct. 30, while the Bureau of Land Management's order is open-ended until further notice. The board said it will meet again to rescind the order when conditions are judged safe.

The measures apply to Sweetwater County residents and visitors and are intended to reduce human-caused fire starts while drought and critical fuel moisture conditions persist. The special meeting was brief and procedural; with no further business, the chairman adjourned the session.