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Winchester Hills Fire RestrictionsFriends and neighbors I think you will agree that this is no normal year in our little community. Cooler than normal temperatures and higher than normal precipitation has resulted in much higher levels of grasses in places where grasses are not normally found. These grasses are very contiguous throughout the community and are very dry and flammable. We have had three fires since the "No Burn" signs were put up on May 29th; all were due to illegal burning. We even made the front page of the Spectrum. There has been minor damage to structures and property. What I want to bring to everyone's attention is that every one of these fires potentially threatened your property. So far we have been very lucky in stopping these fires. These fires can no longer be handled with a garden hose and a shovel. It is too dry. I would ask that anyone who witnesses anyone burning in Winchester Hills to call 911 and report it.
Consequences of Violation 1. If you are cited for "Burning Without a Permit", Utah Code 65A-8-211, you may be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. 2. If you are cited in this "No Burn" time period you will likely also face "Reckless Burning" charges, Utah Code 76-6-104, because you lit a fire and it got out of control, you may be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. Under both of these statutes you will be responsible for all property damage and extinguishing costs. If it spreads onto state lands that could run into the 10's of thousands of dollars!
How Can You Prepare Your Property? 1. Cut down the grasses (not necessarily the sage brush and brigham tea) and rake them up and throw them away in the trash. You should have 30 feet of defensible space around all of your property. That includes sheds, vehicles and outbuildings. 2. Limb up trees! If you trim the grasses under the trees and cut the limbs up to the 3-5 foot level your trees will stand a much better chance of not catching on fire. 3. Clear your property of all of those piles of flammable treasures we all have. Clear them or trim well around them.
If you follow the above rules your property will have a much better chance of surviving a fire event. And by event I mean like nothing we have seen before in Winchester Hills. The last time we had a large fire here it was not accompanied by high wind. We literally had the perfect conditions to fight the fire which resulted in the best possible outcome. Had that fire been accompanied by high wind it would have resulted in much more property damage. Maybe some of you remember the fire that ran through Veyo a couple of years ago? It ran right through the middle of the houses and damaged or destroyed just about every home, shed, outbuilding and vehicle it encountered. I do not want to see that happen here! I need everyone's help to prevent that from happening. We have many elderly residents in Winchester Hills. I would ask all those who are able, to help prepare not only your property but, to help your neighbors as well. If you encounter something and you do not know what to do please feel free to contact me.
Fireworks I think it is important to discuss Fireworks. Utah has changed the laws this year as well as the fireworks that are legal. That does not include unincorporated areas such as Winchester Hills! There will be no fireworks allowed in Winchester Hills! The Sheriffs Department will be on the lookout for fireworks in the unincorporated areas with standing orders to issue citations to all violators. If you do cause a fire for any reason you are responsible for all of the property damage and extinguishing costs of that fire. This can literally cost in the 10's of thousands of dollars. I do not want to see this happen to anyone. You have now been warned. If you must light fireworks do not do it here! The danger is too great! Let's have a safe and hopefully uneventful fire season! Don Christensen
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