For Immediate Release  August 11, 2000
Contact:  Rocky Mountain Fire information
303-239-3672

See Update Below 

            Officials of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and Fish & Wildlife Service, announced today fire restrictions on all federal lands in Colorado.  Effective immediately, and until further notice, such activities as open campfires, charcoal or gas fires, and fireworks on the 23.5 million acres, or approximately 35 percent of the state, are prohibited.

           

Additional restrictions include: smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, operating a chainsaw and off-highway vehicles without an approved spark arresting device, using a welder, and operating an acetylene torch.  Visitors to Colorado’s federal lands are encouraged to check first with local offices for detailed information about these fire restrictions.

           

“We have reached a turning point in an unprecedented fire season where firefighting needs have exceeded available resources. We cannot afford a human-caused fire in Colorado, said Ann Morgan, BLM State Director.

“Not all fires can be attacked aggressively and tough choices are being made daily, and sometimes hourly, about where to send our limited resources, said Lyle Laverty, Regional Forester, Rocky Mountain Region. We appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation during this serious situation, Laverty added.

           

Persons who knowingly and willfully perform any restricted activities are subject to a fine or imprisonment or both.  Restitution for total suppression and damage costs incurred may be borne by the trespasser.

Much of the public land in Colorado has been under some form of fire restriction much of the summer.  This statewide restriction provides a uniform prohibition.

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News Contacts:

US Forest Service – Randy Wilkerson at 303-275-5359

Bureau of Land Management – Barb Perkins at 303-239-3670

National Park Service – Rick Frost at 303-987-6732

 

Colorado Continued Moisture Eases Wildfire Worries – Rocky Mountain Area Public Land Fire Restrictions Modified

Golden, CO – Fire restrictions are being eased today on most national forests within Colorado and portions of Wyoming, and Colorado Bureau of Land Management lands as continued moisture from scattered thunderstorms reduces wildfire risks. Further rainfall is still needed to totally eliminate fire restrictions.  

 Regional Forester Lyle Laverty authorized campfires and use of charcoal grills only in developed recreation sites. Fires are still prohibited outside of developed recreation sites. Stricter restrictions prohibiting fire anywhere on public lands continue for the Arapahoe-Roosevelt National Forest, national forest lands in South Dakota, Wyoming (with the exception of the Medicine Bow National Forest and Thunder Basin National Grasslands), and Nebraska due to the dryer conditions in those areas.

 

BLM Colorado State Director Ann Morgan has directed local field offices to determine appropriate restrictions to reflect local conditions such as rainfall amounts and fire risks. She encourages citizens to contact local offices for specific fire restrictions. 

 

“The use of restrictions helps prevent person caused fires and has been very effective,” said Judith Downing, a U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Fire Prevention, Wildland Urban Interface and Fire Education specialist. “Citizens can help stop new wildfires by checking with local offices to be sure they understand current restrictions and what is allowed regarding fire use.”

 

Federal public land officials advise Labor Day holiday visitors to continue being careful with fire and adhere to the current public land fire restrictions. The availability of local firefighters to respond to a large new fire is of concern due to their strong support in other western state fire fighting efforts.

 

The Rocky Mountain National Park and the Great Sand Dunes National Monument allow the use of campfires, charcoal broilers and wood burning stoves within developed recreation sites, such as campgrounds.

 

Federal public land agencies monitor fire hazards frequently and will continue to review the broad scale restrictions after the Labor Day weekend.

Widespread fire restrictions were implemented this spring and summer due to the unseasonably warm, dry and windy conditions, combined with an extremely low snow pack.

 

Federal managers are also advising hunters preparing for the upcoming hunting seasons to monitor fire restrictions and conditions carefully before heading into the woods. 

 

Specific information regarding fire restrictions is available at local federal agency offices or at www.fs.fed.us/r2/fire/rmacc.html

 

 

 

The following acts are prohibited on public lands within the National Forests located in Colorado; the Medicine Bow National Forest and the Thunder Basin National Grasslands within Wyoming.

 

-         Building, maintaining, or using fire, campfire, or charcoal grill EXCEPT in a Forest Service developed camp or picnic area. (People can still use petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices anywhere, and resident owners and lessees of land within the restricted area can have fires within a residence).

-         Smoking, except in enclosed vehicles, buildings, developed recreation sites or while stopped in an area that is at least 3 feet in diameter and barren or cleared of flammable materials.

-         Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with an open flame.

-         Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order. (Woodcutters need to have water, a shovel and fire extinguisher on any woodcutting adventure).

 

 

Previous restrictions in other areas of the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region (South Dakota, certain portions of Wyoming, and Nebraska) remain in effect. These prohibit any building, maintaining, or using fire, campfires, or charcoal grills anywhere on public lands including campgrounds.

 

For Colorado BLM lands local restrictions apply.