September 13, 2002                                                                                          
CONTACT: Steve Ellis, FMO

Fire Restrictions Lifted In SouthCentral Colorado
 

MONTROSE, CO—Effective September 16, 2002 at 12:01 p. m., all fire restrictions are being lifted onpublic lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Uncompahgre and Gunnison Field Offices, and the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest in the counties of  Delta, Gunnison,  Hinsdale, Montrose, Mesa, Ouray, Saguache, and San Miguel.  Fire officials want to thank the public for their outstanding compliance through the worst fire season in Colorado history.  “Here in south central Colorado, there were no human-caused fires throughout the period fire restrictions were in effect.  Your patience and your concern for your public lands is greatly appreciated” said Steve Ellis, Montrose Interagency Fire Management Officer. 

Even though fire officials are lifting restrictions, they want to remind you to think about fire safety.  With the recent wetting rains, the fuel moistures have recovered enough to warrant lifting restrictions.  However, the rains have not been consistent, and some places are still dry.  As Ellis notes,  “The rains have been spotty, so some areas are still fairly dry, and some of the fuels, like the duff under pine trees, can still be very dry and flammable.”  In addition, fall is typically very dry in western Colorado, and as the plants go into dormancy and are affected by the frost, they will become even more volatile.  So don’t forget – even though summer is over, fire danger is not.  As you use your public lands for your fall activities, keep these fire safety tips in mind:

• Keep campfires small.  A good bed of coals or a small fire surrounded by rocks gives plenty of heat.  Scrape away litter, duff, and any burnable material within a 10-foot-diameter circle.  This will keep a small campfire from spreading.
• Be sure your match is out.  Hold it until it is cold.  Conserve matches—carry a candle as a fire starter, or use a lighter.
• Never leave a campfire unattended.  Even a small breeze could quickly cause the fire to spread.
• Keep plenty of water handyand have a shovel for throwing dirt on the fire if it gets out of control.
• Before leaving, drown the fire with water.  Make sure all embers, coals, and sticks are wet.  Move rocks—there may be burning embers underneath.
• Stir the remains, add more water, and stir again.  Carefully feel all materials with your bare hand to be sure all burned material has been extinguished and cooled.  If you do not have water, use dirt.  Mix enough soil or sand with the embers. Continue adding and stirring until all material is cooled.
• Extinguish and dispose of all smoking materials away from any fuel source.  Embers from cigarettes, cigars, or pipes can smolder in leaves, duff, and other fine fuels, and burst into flames in the wind.
• Be careful when operating a chainsaw or driving motorized vehicles off bare ground.  Always have the proper spark arrester, and be careful around fine fuels such as leaves, grass, or duff.
• Mitigate wisely.  Homeowners are more aware than ever of the need to create defensible space around their property.  (Helpful advice is available at www.firewise.org)  Cleaning pine needles from roofs and gutters, and thinning brush and trees, are excellent ideas.  Be sure to have proper spark arresters on equipment.  Fuel engines only on a cleared surface, with water nearby.  Be especially cautious on windy days.  In any case, have water and a shovel nearby to put out any fire that might start.
• Just a reminder:  Fireworks are always illegal on public lands.
• Enjoy your public lands!

-BLM-
-USFS-