Burn ban is lifted

The countywide burn ban was lifted Monday with Quay County commissioners advising residents to use caution on red flag windy days and notify dispatch of plans to conduct a controlled burn.

“We want people to be able to burn, to prepare for crops and clear debris, but please be cautious,” said Franklin McCasland, commission chair.

Water has been released in the Arch Hurley Conservancy District, yet the winds continue to blow drying up moisture, with future forecasts of wind throughout the extended forecast, said Donald Adams, Quay County fire marshal.

Adams said the previous moisture that fell throughout the county has been dried up by the high winds. He said it is understandable that people have been asking when they can burn.

“I would suggest they follow the procedures, notify central dispatch when they conduct a control burn and watch for high wind advisories,” Adams said.

McCasland said there have been some individuals who have already burned in anticipation of the irrigation water. He said they chose to roll the dice and conduct the burn with needs of preparing to plant.

“We cannot lift the ban for just a certain group of residents or industry,” McCasland said. “It would be in the fairness of all the county to lift the ban completely.”

It needs to be clear to the residents of the county to not conduct a controlled burn on days there is a red flag warning in effect or other hazardous conditions, said Mike Cherry, district 2 commissioner.

Forecast for large portions of the state have been made with high wind, fire dangers, said Sue Dowell, district 1 commissioner.

“It’s a bad situation,” McCasland said. “There are hard-working farmers and ranchers trying to make a living conducting burns with the penalty of fines if they are caught while the burn ban is in place,” McCasland said.

Cherry said the volunteer fire departments throughout the county have continued to do a great job. He said knowing this, he would be in favor of lifting the fire ban.

Dowell said the commission could lift the ban and revisit the issue in two weeks at the next meeting. She said it will be important for the public to exercise caution if they choose to burn.

“The two-week ban lift will give area residents an opportunity to clear debris from fields and irrigation ditches,” McCasland said.

Commissioners also approved to pay 47 percent ($36,500) of the 2018 USDA/Wildlife Services Cooperative Program Services in Quay County. The federal government pays the additional 53 percent.

There is an increase of $1,000 (2.8 percent) to this year’s contract, but county land owners have been very helpful in paying for the services, having sent in more than $6,000, said Richard Primrose, county manager.

The money is the county’s share of the salary and benefits for Specialist Ron Jones, who coordinates and operates the various programs, including feral swine control/protection as well as predatory management/protection for livestock.

Jones said feral hog activity/damage in the county has dropped due to the program’s services. He said there have been a few reports near Ragland, but the number of feral hog incidents continues to decline.

Dowell asked Jones about the availability of the helicopter used for the feral hog removal being tasked to assist with coyote removal.

Jones said there has been issues of livestock (sheep) losses near House, with 78 coyotes being removed from a property and a mountain lion being snared and removed.

Jones said the funding restrictions for the helicopter use prevents him from using it for coyote issues. He said there is an airplane the wildlife services could use, but the problem is keeping a contracted certified pilot in the area.

Other items before the commission:

• Quay County Extension Service Program Director Brenda Bishop gave a quarterly report. This included recent programs, including diabetes cooking workshops, 4-H activities and the fourth place finish in January for the FCS Bowl Team at the National competition at Denver, Colorado.

• Jason Lamb, county agricultural agent gave a summary of programs and services, including the bull test, vaccination, livestock workshops and weed management courses.

• Approved the submission of the 2017 Audit contract with RPC CPA & Consultants LLP of Roswell at $33,000 a year for three years to State auditor.

• T.J. Rich, Quay County Detention Center administrator, gave a quarterly report, saying that Jan. 1-March 31, 230 adults were confined in the facility and the average daily population is 45 inmates with an average length of stay of 62 days. Inmates booked during that time period were 168 with 196 releases.

• Held an executive session to discuss pending or threatening litigation.

No action was taken.