By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Emergency Management Director Adam Weishaar asked for an extension of the county's burn ban through March at the Reno County Commission meeting Tuesday.
"The fire danger is extreme across Reno County," Weishaar said Tuesday. "Dry conditions, extreme temperature and fire danger will continue unabated until sufficient rainfall or snowfall occurs in Reno County. The snow that is forecasted this week will not be enough to prevent fire weather in coming weeks."
All three commissioners agreed with Weishaar's assessment. Chairman Daniel Friesen further clarified that he was told it was important that the whole county be under a ban.
"Chief Beer said that even lower risk areas of the county, if things get out of control, or even a minimal amount of resources are needed to be diverted in lower risk areas, it increases their responsibility and reduces the defensive positions that they take up during this time. I agree, it needs to be a county-wide effort."
It's not that commissioners are not sympathetic to the need for agricultural burning and the federal CRP restrictions, but the public risk is too high right now. Commissioner Ron Hirst is hoping that by the end of this declaration, that will change.
"If we get an opportunity towards the end of March, we want you to confer with us on that potential," Hirst said. "I know we were able to lift that last year to give them a few days of burning and there was a lof of pasture and CRP burning going on, but a lot of people didn't get that opportunity. I'm hopeful that USDA will accept this fact. It's in the safety of everyone that we don't allow that. If we see it available, I want you to be sure and let the commission know."
Frankly, Weishaar wants to wait for a lot of greening up before any restrictions are lifted, because dry grass does not stay wet after rain and snow nearly as long as new grass, which is why the limited precipitation we are likely to get may not be enough in the short term.