Wyoming Statewide Rule
Wyoming County Fire Restriction Authority Statute
Key Facts
- Authority statute
- Wyo. Stat. §§ 35-9-301 to 304
- Statewide code
- None - no state building/fire code
- Penalty
- Up to $100 or 30 days
- Who closes
- County commissioners
- Local WUI codes
- Only where locally adopted
Summary
Wyoming Statutes §§ 35-9-301 through 35-9-304 let county commissioners close areas outside incorporated towns to open fires during extreme fire danger. Wyoming has no statewide building or wildfire code; any wildland-urban-interface standards are adopted locally.
When, upon recommendation of the county fire warden, a board of county commissioners deems the fire danger in a given area of the county to be extreme, because of drought, the presence of an excessive amount of inflammable material or for any other sufficient reason, the board of county commissioners may close the area to any form of use by the public or may limit such use upon recommendation of the county fire warden. This closing shall include prohibition of any type of open fire for such period of time as the board of county commissioners may deem necessary and proper. The county fire warden shall notify the Wyoming state forester of any type of fire closure or the lifting of any type of fire closure under this section.
Full Breakdown
Under Wyo. Stat. §§ 35-9-301 through 35-9-304, boards of county commissioners may close state, county, and private lands outside incorporated areas to open fires or other uses that seriously threaten forest or range when fire danger is extreme from drought or excessive fuels. Closures must be published and may restrict open flames, smoking, fireworks, and motorized equipment. Wyoming has no statewide building or fire code for all structures; wildland-urban-interface standards exist only where a city or county, such as Teton County, adopts them. Violating a posted closure is a misdemeanor.
Violations & Penalties
Violating a county fire closure under Wyo. Stat. § 35-9-304 is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $100, up to 30 days in jail, or both; negligent wildfire starters may also owe suppression costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who declares fire restrictions in Wyoming?
Does Wyoming have statewide WUI building codes?
Sources
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