Lincoln County Commission declares fire emergency

The Lincoln County Commission at its regular weekly meeting on Wednesday declared a state of emergency in Lincoln County due to “significant wildfire activity” that was “threatening public safety (and) private property.”

County Administrator Darren Coldwell explained the declaration was a procedural move that will allow the county to request state funding should the county spend more than $70,000 responding to an emergency such as the Gibralter Ridge fire.

The declaration, contained in Resolution 992, notes “unprecedented wildland fire conditions,” “extreme drought” and that “local fire response resources are operating at full capacity.”

As a result of the declaration, all provisions of the County Emergency Operations Plan are in effect. According to county documents, the plan outlines a coordinated response to natural or man-made disasters.

All three Lincoln County Commissioners — Mark Peck, Mike Cole and Jerry Bennett — voted “yes” to approve the declaration.

Coldwell said if the county were to apply for state assistance, there would be no guarantee it would be granted.