• Limited open burning and fireworks

Lincoln County fire officials are urging residents to use extra caution as Stage 1 fire restrictions took effect overnight, limiting certain forms of open burning and fireworks activity due to elevated wildfire risk.

The restrictions begin at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, July 14, according to Lincoln County Fire Warden Kelly Hoffman. He noted the county intentionally uses the term “restrictions” rather than a full ban. “What we’re doing is trying to restrict big open burning and fireworks,” Hoffman said.

Many activities remain permitted, provided they are contained and managed to reduce sparks and fire spread. Campfires in established fire rings, charcoal use in enclosed grills, and the use of tools such as acetylene torches and arc welders in cleared areas are still allowed.

Garbage burning is also permitted under specific conditions. Residents may burn trash between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. if it is covered with a crate to limit ash and sparks. The restrictions are aimed at higher-risk situations, particularly large debris burns that can quickly get out of control.

“We’ve all seen the pile out in the field with a shed pushed down and a guy sitting there with a garden hose thinking he’s going to protect that,” Hoffman said. “Those are the types of things we don’t want happening.”

If fire conditions worsen, the county has the option to escalate to Stage 2 restrictions, which would significantly limit nearly all burning and could include additional permit-based closures. Hoffman said that level is rarely implemented in Lincoln County.

Officials continue to monitor conditions closely, including vegetation and fuel moisture levels, while coordinating with federal land managers through weekly calls during fire season. Restrictions are typically lifted once those levels return to safer, “critical” thresholds, and any changes must be approved by county commissioners through a formal resolution.

State law also limits how quickly fireworks rules can be adjusted. Hoffman explained that a ban cannot be enacted without following statutory requirements.

His message to residents remains straightforward: use caution and be mindful of others.

“We just need to remind people to be safe and respectful with fire and with their neighbors,” Hoffman said. “If we just use a little common sense, it goes a long way to mitigate these problems.”