Burn ban in effect next week

A full burn ban will be in effect across the county beginning July 22. Fire Warden Doug Leis sought the blessing of the Crook County Commissioners last week to implement the restrictions, anticipating that what started as a moisture-filled summer may turn more dangerous in the coming weeks.

"Everybody has been really enjoying this nice, green grass – and a lot of it – but it's just going to be a lot more to burn when it dries out," Leis explains.

After a long period of drought, this will change the nature of wildland fires as and when they do occur.

"Last year, we couldn't wait to get the fire...