05/17/2026
As Fire Chief, I ask Sheridan County residents to use extreme caution with any burning this season while restrictions are not in place.
Drought conditions continue to deepen, and the current curtailment on the Tongue River has significantly reduced irrigation availability throughout the watershed. For cattle producers, every blade of grass is critical. One escaped fire could destroy months of careful management and a year’s worth of feed in minutes.
The risks are increasing. Dry lightning, hot winds, transformer failures, and sparks from vehicles or trains can each ignite a fire that have the ability to moves faster than crews can respond. Under these conditions, even a routine burn can become a disaster.
I am especially urging residents in the Tongue River District to be careful. An escaped slash pile burn will not respect property lines. It can quickly move into a neighbor’s pasture, fences, hay, barn, or home, while also putting volunteer firefighters, equipment, and nearby residents at unnecessary risk.
If you can postpone burning, please do. If burning is necessary, check current restrictions, watch the weather, have water and tools on site, notify dispatch, and never leave until the fire is completely out — not smoldering, not “probably fine,” but cold and dead.
We get through seasons like this by looking out for one another. Thank you for being careful, and thank you for being good neighbors.
Sincerely,
Jeff Barron Fire Chief
