FIRE RESTRICTIONS LIFTED

Craig, CO – The continued moisture in northwestern Colorado along with other moderating factors, such as lower temperatures, lower potential for rapid intense fire growth, and no human caused fires, has prompted federal and local officials to lift existing fire restrictions in northwestern Colorado. 

Areas lifting fire restrictions effective Wednesday are: Dinosaur National Monument, Browns Park Refuge and all areas west of Highway 13 on BLM Little Snake and White River Field Areas and Rio Blanco and Moffat Counties.  Eagle County, which includes a small portion of the BLM Kremmling Field Office, remains under fire restrictions

Fire Officials still urge diligence and care when using fire outdoors.  Fire danger is moderate to high in Routt, Jackson and Grand Counties and moderate to very high in Moffat and Rio Blanco Counties.  Not all areas have received the same amount of rain and the fuel moisture content in sagebrush remains below normal.  The forecast calls for continued monsoonal moisture through the remainder of this week with temperatures in the mid 70 to 80 degree range.

“Shorter days and cooler nights also help curb fire danger,” said Fire Management Officer Cliff Hutton.  “We appreciate the fact that people have been careful with fire over the past few weeks and ask that they continue to help us in that effort.”

County, state, and federal land managers, sheriffs and fire officials meet on a weekly basis to discuss and compare fire conditions in their respective areas.  These conference calls allow the counties and agencies to share information and coordinate restrictions where it is applicable. 

All land managers encourage people to enjoy their time outdoors and to continue to observe such behaviors as: ensuring campfires are dead out before leaving them; completely extinguishing cigarettes and disposing of them property; parking away from tall grasses as they may dry out and ignite quickly; and never using fireworks on federally managed lands.

Activities on public lands increase this time of year and campers are reminded that leaving campfires unattended is illegal and a fineable offense. 

-BLM-