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Nature's light show

While nature’s light show on Sunday night was more spectacular than any man-made fireworks, it is a strong reminder of just how dry the conditions are here in Hot Springs County.

With days and days of high temperatures, reaching over 100 degrees on Saturday and Sunday, grasses have dried out to the point of being highly combustible.

That became very apparent Sunday night when the Thermopolis Volunteer Firemen were forced to split themselves among three grass fires burning in the county, all in different directions.

They weren’t alone, however, as lightning strikes caused fires all over Fremont County and a major one has burned over 30,000 acres on the border of Washakie and Big Horn Counties.

We go through this every year, some more than others, but grass fires and wild fires are not something to be lackadaisical about.

There’s really nothing we can do about lightning strikes that start fires, but we can be pro-active to help reduce their spread.

If you’re out camping, make sure that campfire is completely out. Drown it with water, stir it up and drown it again. Do this a few times just to make sure you’re not leaving an ember behind that could spark a devastating wild fire.

In the county, and even in town, make sure you keep grasses mowed down. Creating a perimeter between your home and a potential fire could mean the difference between saving your home and losing everything you cherish.

If you absolutely must do a controlled burn, watch the weather forecast for wind speeds and direction and be sure to call dispatch to let them know you’re going to be burning. Keep a water source handy to keep that controlled burn under control.

A giant shout out to our firefighters who are there rain or shine, no matter whether its day or night.

Let’s do all we can to help make their summer, and ours, a little less busy.

 

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