WEDNESDAY, September 2, 2026|
Photo – Fire Restriction sign – Bigfoot99 file photo
Carbon County is no longer under fire restrictions.
On July 21st, Carbon County was placed under Stage One fire restrictions, significantly limiting when and where outdoor fires could occur. At the time, Fire Warden John Rutherford said high winds and low moisture levels made it likely that a fire would spread out of control.
During yesterday’s Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Fire Warden Rutherford said the latest rainfall, combined with effective wildfire‑containment efforts, have made the restrictions unnecessary and he requested that they be lifted.
Fire Warden Rutherford said the Bureau of Land Management, which oversees roughly 40 percent of Carbon County, was also preparing to lift fire restrictions. Rutherford acknowledged the disruption the fire ban caused but said the measures were effective. He added that it was time to remove the county’s restrictions.
Commissioner John Johnson noted that while some parts of Carbon County have seen increased moisture, northern areas remain dry. Fire Warden Rutherford agreed but said low nighttime temperatures across the region have reduced the chances of fires spreading out of control.
Rutherford added that the county’s fire control teams are prepared to respond to any new wildfires.
Commissioner John Johnson mentioned the Chalk Mountain Fire, which began on August 26th west of Highway 487 on the Carbon and Natrona County line. He said the blaze quickly spread to over 120 acres, showing how dry conditions are in the northern end of the county. Fire Warden Rutherford said the lack of wildfires in Wyoming allowed the Bureau of Land Management and the Wyoming State Forestry Division to provide aerial support during the incident.
Because of the continuing risk of wildfires, Commissioner Johnson said he would vote against lifting the restrictions.
Commissioner John Espy disagreed, saying that 80 percent of the county received heavy rainfall. He said it was time to end the fire ban and reminded residents to start preparing for winter. Without the ban in place, he said residents wouldn’t be as harshly punished if a brush fire got out of control.
Commissioner John Espy said that by clearing the brush, residents are helping the county save money on winter road maintenance.
Commissioner John Johnson asked Fire Warden Rutherford when the Bureau of Land Management would be lifting its own fire restrictions. Rutherford said he was unsure, noting that BLM was waiting for other counties, including Carbon, to ease their fire bans first.
Fire Warden Rutherford said the latest rainfall led him to reconsider and he is now recommending that the county end its fire ban.
Commissioner John Johnson suggested waiting to lift the restrictions until the Bureau of Land Management does the same and the Board of Commissioners voted to follow that approach.
Commissioner John Espy asked if the county should pass a resolution to automatically enter and exit fire restrictions with the Bureau of Land Management. Fire Warden Rutherford responded that BLM leadership might not always agree with the county on when restrictions should be put in place.
Rutherford added that the current arrangement allows the county to push BLM to adopt or lift restrictions.
Regarding tying the county’s fire restrictions to BLM’s actions, Deputy County Attorney Ashley Davis explained that state statute gives the Board of County Commissioners the exclusive authority to implement a fire ban. She said that while federal and state agencies may offer recommendations, the Board alone has the final say.
Later in the meeting, Fire Warden Rutherford announced that BLM was prepared to remove its fire ban today, September 2nd, and the Board of Commissioners agreed to do the same. Carbon County is no longer under Stage One fire restrictions.
