BLM rolls back fire restrictions in five San Luis Valley counties
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MONTE VISTA, Colo. – In response to recent and forecasted precipitation across the region, the Bureau of Land Management’s San Luis Valley Field Office is lifting fire restrictions on BLM-managed lands in five counties in southern Colorado. Fire restrictions will be lifted on BLM lands in Alamosa, Rio Grande, Conejos, Costilla, and Saguache counties effective 6 a.m. on July 29, 2020.
The rescinded Stage 1 restrictions were enacted on BLM lands in the San Luis Valley on May 12 after a prolonged period of drier and warmer weather. While fire danger is lower with the recent and anticipated change in weather, fire officials still urge the public to be cautious with fire on BLM-managed lands.
“Lower fire danger doesn’t mean no fire danger,” said San Luis Valley Field Office Manager Melissa Garcia. “Conditions can vary by day and by location, so we urge the public to be careful with fire and use common sense when having fires on public land.”
Fire officials remind visitors to practice fire safety:
- Keep campfires small and under control.
- Ensure that campfires are dead out. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.
- Keep a shovel and water nearby to douse escaped embers.
- Do not park or idle vehicles in tall dry grass. The heat from the vehicle’s exhaust can spark a wildfire.
- Do not allow chains to drag from vehicles or towed trailers.
- Fireworks are never allowed on federally managed lands.
For more information about fire restrictions in the San Luis Valley Field Office, please visit the Rocky Mountain District Fire Restrictions page (go.usa.gov/xvhGj) or call the San Luis Valley Field Office at (719) 852-7074.
The Rio Grande National Forest is also lifting fire restrictions on US Forest Service lands. Additional information on US Forest Service fire restrictions can be found at the Rio Grande National Forest website (https://www.fs.usda.gov/riogrande) or by calling the Rio Grande National Forest Supervisor’s office at (719) 852-5941.
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.