BLM reduces fire restrictions in Park County, remains in Stage 1
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Cañon City, Colo. – In response to recent and forecasted precipitation across the region, the Bureau of Land Management’s Royal Gorge Field Office is moving from Stage 2 to Stage 1 fire restrictions on BLM-managed lands in Park County. The change in restrictions is based on current conditions and is consistent with the US Forest Service-Pike and San Isabel National Forests’ current restrictions. The change in restrictions will become effective on Friday, September 18.
“As we are scaling back fire restrictions in Park County, we encourage everyone on public lands to still be cautious with fire,” said Royal Gorge Field Office Manager Keith Berger. “Many local firefighting resources are still dedicated to large fires in Colorado and across the west, so we urge everyone to do their part to prevent human-caused fires.”
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions prohibit the following acts:
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire except within agency-provided fire grates at developed recreation sites. Devices using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are permitted.
- Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
- Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and working, a chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity by weight, and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches.
- Using a welder, either arc or gas, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter with a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity.
- Using exploding targets.
These fire restrictions are in addition to the year-round wildfire prevention restrictions on BLM-administered public lands in Colorado. These prohibit:
- Leaving a fire unattended or unextinguished.
- Possession, discharge or use of any fireworks.
- Discharge of a firearm using incendiary or tracer ammunition.
- Burn, ignite or cause to burn any tire, wire, magnesium, or any other hazardous or explosive material.
- Operate any off-road vehicle on public lands unless the vehicle is equipped with a properly installed spark arrester pursuant to 43 CFR 8343.1(c).
These restrictions are in addition to Stage 1 fire restrictions already in place on BLM-managed lands in Chaffee, Custer, El Paso, Fremont, Huerfano, Lake, Las Animas, Pueblo, Teller, and Boulder counties.
For more information about current fire restrictions in the Royal Gorge Field Office, please visit the Rocky Mountain District Fire Restrictions page or call the Royal Gorge Field Office at (719) 269-8500. The US Forest Service also has fire restrictions in place in Park County. Please visit their interactive fire restriction map or call the Forest Supervisor’s office at (719) 553-1400 for more information.
Fire restrictions will be in place until further notice. In addition to criminal penalties, those found responsible for starting wildfires may also face restitution costs of suppressing the fire.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.