July 19, 2012 I The Lovell Chronicle I 3
Lovell fire crew braces for
potentially bad season ahead
BY PATTI CARPENTER
A particularly mild
winter followed by hot, dry
weather has created ex-
tremely volatile fire condi-
tions in the area. Accord-
ing to Lovell Fire Chief Jim
Minchow, his crew has al-
ready been called out on
89 fires. Normally, they
respond to about 100 per
year.
"Unless we can get
some moisture, I think it
could be a pretty bad year
for fires," said Minchow.
"We just hope that people
pay attention to the fire
ban that is in place and
take caution whether it's
burning their garbage or
anything else."
So far, the quick re-
sponse of the all-volunteer
fire crew has kept several
potentially dangerous fires
from spreading.
The crew responded
to a Call about a trailer
filled with construction de-
bris that ignited on Friday
evening. The trailer was
parked dangerously close
to the Lovell Elementary
School building. Minchow
said the fire appeared to
be caused by carelessness,
when construction workers
dumped some rags in the
trailer that had previously
been used to apply a flam-
mable liquid.
The trailer contained
scrap wood and cardboard
that was slated for dispos-
al. It appears that the heat
of the day ignited the rags
and caught the materials
stored inside the trailer
on fire. Although the trail-
er was parked only a few
feet away from the school
building and another ve-
hicle, neither was affected.
Firemen responded in sec-
onds and had the fire out in
a matter of minutes, pre-
venting it from spreading.
Firemen were called out
again on Sunday to ,extin-
guish a recreational vehi-
cle that caught,fire between
Roads 15 and 16 on U.S.
Highway 14A East. Pass-
ing motorists on the road
noticed sparks coming from
the engine compartment of
the 40-foot 1997 Monaco
Executive owned by Joe Av-
vampato of Rapid City, S.D.
The sparks caused the en-
gine to catch on fire.
The vehicle, which had
a value of $260,000 when
it was new, was destroyed.
Occupants, including two
adults, four children and
five dogs, escaped without
harm. Firefighters were
COURTESY PHOTO
A recreational vehicle owned by a family from South Dakota was destroyed
after the engine caught fire on Sunday on U.S. Highway 14A.
PATrl CARPENTER
Lovell firemen quickly extinguished burning materials stored in a trailer
parked next to the Lovell Elementary School building on Friday, July 13.
able to extinguish the fire
before it spread to nearby
areas.
A partial fire ban went
into effect in the county a
few weeks ago. The fire
ban is authorized through
state statute when, accord-
ing to the resolution, " fire
danger in the county is ex-
treme because of drought,
the presence of any exces-
sive amount of flammable
material or for any other
sufficient reason." The par-
tial ban is for all state and
private land within Big
Horn County.
Under the ban, dis-
charge of fireworks and all
outdoor fires are prohibited
in unimproved areas, de-
fined as cropland, agricul-
tural land and undeveloped
land which predominately
remains in its natural for-
ested or range condition.
Additionally, Stage I
fire restrictions went into
effect on the Bighorn Na-
tional Forest on July 1.
An unseasonably warm
and dry spring and a hot
summer have prompted
the restrictions. Residents
are urged to use extreme
caution in any activities
that can potentially cause
a fire.
Go local ...
Advertise now on
Wyoming's #1 rated Call
'small weekly newspaper' 548-2217
website ...
www.LovellChronicle.com
Bear activity triggers
temporary food
storage order
The Bighorn National Forest recently imple-
mented a temporary food storage order in the Por-
cupine Creek area in response to recent black bear
activity and human-bear conflicts in the vicinity.
Over the last several days, a black bear has ac-
cessed unsecured food and coolers at campsites and
displayed aggressive behavior toward people. The
Wyoming Game and Fish Department have trapped
a bear suspected in the incidences and will continue
to monitor the situation.
To further address this issue, the Bighorn Na-
tional Forest is implementing a food storage order
for the area where human-bear conflicts have oc-
curred. Visitors who do not comply with the special
order will receive a citation and are subject to fines.
According to Forest Supervisor Bill Bass, visitor
safety is a primary concern. "We have seen an in-
crease in black bear and human interactions over the
past few summers," Bass said. "With that in mind,
we are going to use the food storage order in specific
locations for short periods of time in order to protect
both humans and bears."
Specific prohibitions listed in the food storage or-
der include:
Possessing or storing any food, refuse, or other
wildlife attractants unless it is stored in a bear re-
sistant manner, or is being eaten, being prepared for
eating, being transported or being prepared for ac-
ceptable storage.
Possessing, storing or transporting any bird, fish,
or other animal, or parts thereof, unless it is accept-
ably stored in a bear resistant manner, or is being
field dressed, transported, being prepared for eating,
or being prepared for acceptable storage.
Hanging or suspending animal carcasses within
100 yards of developed recreation sites as specified
in the order.
The purpose of the order is to ensure that camp-
ers and visitors properly store food, refuse, or other
items that would attract bears. These items, known
as attractants, include human food and beverages,
garbage, pet and livestock feed (excluding water,
baled hay, or hay cubes without additives), cooking
equipment and utensils, bird feeders, and personal
care items including perfume, shampoo, and other
scented materials. Once a bear gains access to un-
secured attractants at campsites, they can become
food-conditioned. Food-conditioned bears are less
likely to avoid humans and often display persistent
or destructive behavior.
Securing attractants minimizes human-bear
conflicts. In order to meet the prohibitions for the
special order all food and refuse must be stored in
one of the following ways:
Inside a hard sided vehicle or camper and all ve-
hicle windows and doors must be completely closed
for a vehicle or camper; inside an approved bear-re-
sistant securable container that when secure or un-
der stress will not have any cracks, openings, lids,
or hinges that would allow a bear to gain entry by
breaking, biting, or clawing; or suspended at least 10
feet above the ground'and 4 feet from any tree, post
or other support.
For more information, contact Bighorn National
Forest offices in Sheridan, Lovell, or Buffalo, or visit
the Bighorn's website at www.fs.usda.gov/bighorn/.
Please recycle this newspaper.
Commercial Property
OPEN HOUSE
Lovell and North Big Horn County, Wyo.
Friday, July 20, 1-4 pm
Maps available at Lovell Inc., 142 E. 3rd, Lovell
307-548-6707 or email lovellinc@tctwest.net
tall to reserve your ticket$ today.
INTEGRATED POWER SERVICES
Now Hiring for Rock Springs, WY
IPS is the nation's leading provider of repair and maintenance
services for electric motors and generators. Now Hiring:
• Winders • Machinists
• Mechanics • Scheduler/Planner
Email: jobs@ips.us • Phone: 864.451.5658
Online: www.ips.us/careers
An Equal Opportunity Employer
00IPS
INTEBRATEO POWER SERVICES
Now Hiring for Denver, CO
IPS is the nation's leading provider of repair and maintenance
services for electric motors and generators. Now Hiring:
Winders & Mechanics
Email: jobs@ips.us • Phone: 864.451.5658
Online: www.ips.us/careers
An Equal Opportunity Employer
will be doi.g
AERIAL 9PRAYIN00
for mosquitoes
9ATURPAY, JULY 21,
the early momi00g hours,
weather permittiHg,
or the .ext
available day.
Call the tow. 0flice at
Y45-6799
if,YOU have aW qu=fi0m. ...........
I'm Supporting
Elaine Harvey
I epresentative Elaine Harvey does a great job for edu-
cation throughout our districts and Wyoming. I have
come to appreciate the time and effort Elaine has taken to
learn about education. Elaine enthusiastically learned the
many moving parts, attended multiple local meetings and is
available whenever we need a voice. She is diligent in meet-
ing with school district folks prior to leaving for Cheyenne
and the legislative session, always updating us on proposed
legislation and querying us on how that would affect us in our
local districts. After listening, she leaves us her email address
and phone numbers -- both to receive updates and to offer
our input as educational legislation moves through the pro-
cess. Upon returning each year she again meets with us to re-
cap the session. It didn't take long for Representative Harvey
to become a 'friend' to those of us who work and care deeply
about students, teachers, support staff and buildings in our
district. We definitely have a positive voice through Elaine's
hard work. She is also able to gather support for educational
issues through the legislative network she has built over her
years of service to us.
laine understands the extremely complex school fund-
ing model, the School Facility Department and takes the
time to learn the process and the ramifications they have for
districts the size of ours. She then advocates for our needs,
and does so to our benefit. I don't know that everyone realizes
just how much time our citizen legislators spend on issues
beyond their time in session. Elaine goes above and beyond
that to make sure she is available to all of us. She is commit-
ted to those she serves.
laine and I have worked together to build the Republican
Party in our area for almost 20 years. She is a true Repub-
lican with not only a heart, but knowledge and courage.
Judy Richards
Paid for b}J Jud Richards and approved b}, the candidate
I
