As spring arrives, many ranchers, farmers and other residents are heading outside to begin their annual agricultural burns.

Every year, as the spring burning season gets into full swing, at least a few of these burns get out of control. The National Weather Service and local fire officials encourage people to stay safe and “Learn Before You Burn.”

“Frequently, our calm mornings turn windy during the afternoon,” said Tim Troutman of the National Weather Service Riverton Office, in a news release. “Having an up-to-date wind speed and direction forecast can help you decide whether or not dropping the match is worth the risk.”

Landowners and others who plan to conduct prescribed burning activities are strongly encouraged to check the latest weather forecast by calling the National Weather Service’s Riverton office toll-free at 1-800-211-1448. Area-specific forecasts are also available online at weather.gov/riverton or on smart phones at mobile.weather.gov.

It’s crucial to notify the Park County Dispatch Center at 307-754-8700 or 307-527-8700 before beginning your burn.

If fire in the Powell area is left unattended and dispatch has not been informed it’s a controlled burn, then the Powell Volunteer Fire Department will put it out.

Citizens conducting a field burn are not only responsible for what happens on their own property, they may also be held criminally and civilly liable from damages to federal and state property. This includes, but is not limited to, right-of-way fencing, according to WYDOT.

The Park County Sheriff’s Office, Powell Volunteer Fire Department and U.S. Bureau of Land Management provide the following tips for planning and controlling burns:

• Burn between 8 a.m. and sunset only. Never let a fire burn overnight when it is not attended. Someone should be in constant attendance until all fire is extinguished.

• Before lighting the fire, mow or light small burns to create a fuel break around anything not intended to burn such as structures, irrigation pipe, heavy fuel accumulations like manure or corrals and along property boundaries.

• Keep the burn area small. Don’t ignite more than can be safely controlled if conditions worsen.

• Never burn on a day when weather conditions might be unstable. If there are predictions for increased wind, warmer temperatures or decreased relative humidity, do not burn.

• Don’t ever count on the wind to be consistent. Always plan for a possible wind shift.

• Keep shovels, hand sprayers, hoses and buckets on hand to control the fire.

• If it looks like the fire is out of control, call 911. The caller will be asked to provide the location, a phone number, size of the fire and any threat to structures. Then stay out of harm’s way, said the sheriff’s office.

• When operating an acetylene or other open flame torch, or burning trash in a burn barrel, do so only in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials at least 10 feet on all sides of the equipment. Have a fire extinguisher available for use.

• Never park a vehicle on dry grass, and avoid driving through tall grass. Grease trailer wheels, check tires and ensure safety chains are not touching the ground, said the bureau.

• Equip off-road vehicles with spark arresters on internal combustion engines, said the bureau. Check and clean spark arresters before use.