EDITORIAL: Check weather before starting fires to avoid causing major problem

Posted 4/2/15

This was absurd, since Saturday was a remarkably windy day, with gusts in the 40s, 50s and even 60s during an extended period. There was no sense in starting field and grass fires on a day with those conditions.

It’s especially dangerous right …

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EDITORIAL: Check weather before starting fires to avoid causing major problem

Posted

Thumbs down to the number of fires in and around Powell during a windstorm on Saturday.

The Powell Volunteer Fire Department responded to four calls for out-of-control fires. The calls came in pairs, meaning the firefighters were battling two at the same time twice.

This was absurd, since Saturday was a remarkably windy day, with gusts in the 40s, 50s and even 60s during an extended period. There was no sense in starting field and grass fires on a day with those conditions.

It’s especially dangerous right now, after a warm, dry winter and early spring. Conditions are ripe for a fire that could do a lot of damage. People need to be a little more alert and patient for the right time to ignite a blaze.

The home you save may be your own.

Thumbs up to the firefighters who extinguish the flames caused by careless actions.

It’s a challenge and one they take on willingly. But even these dedicated men get exasperated when they are called to so many fires in such a short time. Fire Chief Damian Dicks said it best: Check the weather report before starting a fire.

We don’t need to further burden our fire department by forcing them to respond to fires that are so easily preventable. We admire these firefighters for their service but let’s give them a hand, too.

Thumbs down to the news that Park County’s population declined.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county saw a .2 percent decline between July 2013 and July 2014. That’s about 165 people fewer despite the fact that more babies were born than people died, leaving the estimated population at 28,989 last summer.

The reason? As in so many things in life, it’s all about the economy. A downturn in natural gas prices reduced jobs in the extraction industry, so dozens of people followed the jobs to other places where they could find work.

All four Big Horn Basin counties saw a downturn. It’s a disappointing note, especially since the state had a slight increase — .2 percent.

While analysts are hoping an uptick in the economy may mean a change in the positive direction, the decline of oil prices and the loss of jobs locally may mean another disappointing report next year. We hope both the mineral extraction industry and the Big Horn Basin population both make a turnaround soon.

Thumbs down to news that norovirus, an unpleasant stomach virus, is in Wyoming.

From what we have experienced in this office, we believe this report from the Wyoming Department of Health that the virus has been observed in several communities around the state. Norovirus is sometimes described as the “cruise ship virus,” but it can occur in many different settings, according to The Associated Press.

It is spread when people eat or drink contaminated food and beverages, touch surfaces contaminated with the virus or through close contact with someone who is already sick, the AP reports. As much as half of food-borne illnesses are linked to norovirus.

People end up with severely upset stomachs and can wind up dizzy, weak and dehydrated. If you feel it is striking you, stay hydrated, wash your hands often, clean and disinfect surfaces with a mixture of detergent and chlorine bleach and be cautious with the food you prepare or eat.

This is a very unpleasant matter. Be aware of the risks to lessen the possible impact on you or those close to you.

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