Resident tells commissioners enforcement of side-by-side vehicles during fire closures appears inconsistent
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Summary
A resident complained during public input that enforcement and exemptions for side-by-side off-highway vehicles during recent fire closures varied between agencies and locations, and urged the county to clarify rules and equitable application.
During public input at the June 26 meeting, resident Paul Foreman told commissioners he had received a ticket related to operating a side-by-side all‑terrain vehicle during road closures tied to a fire response and argued enforcement appeared inconsistent between emergency responders and private citizens.
Foreman said he paid insurance and had license plates for his side-by-side and that he observed government vehicles and emergency personnel operating similar vehicles on some closed roads. "I pulled up the Game and Fish's website, and they say it's illegal to do this. Okay? Divided rope. It's either all or none. Okay?" he told the commission. Foreman said he praised firefighters and law enforcement for their assistance during the fire but remained puzzled why private citizens faced enforcement while he saw government vehicles on closed roads.
No formal action was taken during the meeting; commissioners did not adopt a new policy on side-by-side operation during closures during the session. Commissioners did not announce an immediate follow-up but the comment was recorded in the public-input portion of the meeting.
Why it matters: residents raised questions about equal application of rules during emergencies; any change to local enforcement policy would require action by the appropriate law‑enforcement or public-safety authority.