By Crystal Thompson
The Hill County Commissioners have reopened Beaver Creek Park and the firing range after spending Wednesday reviewing fire conditions.
The previously banned areas still enforce the Level Four fire restrictions placed on the county last week.
"Level Four restrictions, which are mandated by the state, are still in effect," Commissioner Pat Conway said. "People must remain on well-maintained roads."
Level Four restrictions include the ban of outdoor smoking, campfires, gas or oil-burning stoves, and machinery with internal combustion engines, as well as off-road travel of any sort. As another precaution, people using Beaver Creek Park are asked to help reduce the amount of trash by "packing out what they pack in."
The park superintendent is in the process of mowing several of Beaver Creek's approaches. Travelers finding it necessary to pull over are asked to use the mowed approaches whenever possible. People traveling in the park are asked to remain clear of roads with brush or weeds growing on or near them.
The commissioners will continue to monitor and evaluate the weather and moisture situations daily, in order to determine the area's fire danger. Updates will be made as conditions change.
