For Immediate Release June 14, 2004
Contact:  Ken Smith 719-269-8553

BLM BEGINS FIRE RESTRICTIONS ON PUBLIC LANDS IN EASTERN COLORADO

Beginning Wednesday, June 16 at 8 a.m., Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will be placed on public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) east of the Continental Divide in Colorado. Because of extremely dry conditions and the high potential for large fire growth,  the use of fireworks is prohibited and campfires will only be allowed in developed sites on public land.

The fire conditions we are experiencing this spring are comparable to those that we had at this time of year in 2002, which was a very active fire season.” said Roy Masinton, Field Manager for the BLMs Royal Gorge Field Office.  Masinton continued to warn “...locally, fire danger is Extreme and unless we see a change in the weather pattern soon, we will experience a high potential for large fires. 

Masinton explained that “Compounding the risks of human caused fire is the rapid growth and development occurring in rural areas.  The consequences of unwanted wildland fire have become more serious.  People are building and developing properties in fire prone areas that are overgrown and ripe for fire.  We’re now faced with structural protection concerns that didn’t exist 20 years ago.  The potential for property loss and damage during wildfire incidents is higher than ever.”   The decision to implement fire restrictions is made by an interagency Fire Board who rely on scientific criteria including area wide fire danger, fire spread potential and recent and anticipated fire occurrence.

Federal public land officials advise visitors to be extra careful with fire and adhere to the local fire restrictions.  The Bureau of Land Management, Royal Gorge Field Office will stay within these broad scale restrictions until further notice.

STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS

The following acts are prohibited on BLM public lands managed by the Royal Gorge Field Office until further notice: 

1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, any type of charcoal fueled broiler or open fire of any type in undeveloped areas.
2. Possessing, discharging or using any type of fireworks or other pyrotechnic device to include sparklers.  This order does not differentiate between lawful use or careless/negligent use of fireworks, but prohibits all fireworks activity and use on public lands as identified above.
3. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, in a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

 Actions Permitted:

1. Fires in constructed, permanent fire pits or fire grates within developed recreation sites are permitted.
2.  Mechanical stoves or other appliances fueled by bottled or liquid gas and equipped with a valve which allows the operator to turn the flame on and off are permitted

Any person who knowingly and willfully violates the regulations at 43 CFR 9212.1 of this title shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not more than $100,000 or to imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both.  Restitution for total suppression or damage costs incurred will be borne by the trespasser.

- BLM -