WORLAND —In anticipation of the Independence Day holiday, the Bureau of Land Management Worland Field Office is again making a temporary, local exception to the fireworks ban on public lands. The use of fireworks will be permitted at a gravel pit northwest of Worland from July 2–5.

“The BLM is committed to providing a safe place on public land for people to use fireworks this Fourth of July,” said BLM Worland Field Manager Mike Phillips. “This year, we encourage people to practice physical distancing and adhere to any current orders issued by the Wyoming Governor’s Office.”

The BLM’s partnerships with the City of Worland, Worland Fire Protection District #1 and Washakie County will enable an integrated approach to fire management, emergency medical services and law enforcement during the holiday weekend.

The first gravel pit along the road to the landfill is a good location because the area poses a low risk of wildland fire occurrence. Fireworks use is permitted only within this gravel pit and not on the Fifteen Mile Road or gravel pits north of the landfill.

Please properly dispose of litter and avoid the portions of the gravel pit that have been reclaimed and reseeded to allow for the re-establishment of vegetation in these sensitive areas.

As an extra precaution during the holiday weekend, the Wind River/Bighorn Basin District Fire Crew will staff engines throughout the district to provide a quick response if any wildfires are started by fireworks.