Fire Restrictions Lifted in Some Areas

Craig, CO – Conditions have moderated in many sections of northwest Colorado.  Temperatures are remaining above normal but scattered moisture in the area has offered at least temporary relief from extreme fire danger.  Currently fire danger in Jackson and Grand counties is moderate, moderate to high in Routt County and very high in Moffat and Rio Blanco counties.

Areas lifting fire restrictions effective immediately are: Grand, Jackson, and Routt counties; Routt National Forest; Arapaho/Roosevelt National Forest; BLM Kremmling Field Office (except those portions of BLM in Larimer, Eagle and Summit counties).

Rio Blanco County and BLM White River Field Office are lifting fire restrictions east of Highway 13, all areas west of Highway 13 will remain under fire restrictions.

Moffat County and BLM Little Snake Field Office will lift fire restrictions east of Highway 13 beginning Wednesday, August 2, 2006. All areas west of Highway 13 in these jurisdictions will remain under fire restrictions.

Remaining under fire restrictions are: Dinosaur National Monument; Browns Park Refuge; and all state managed lands and parks. White River National Forest will remain under fire restrictions with the exception of the Flat Tops Wilderness Area, which does not currently have fire restrictions in place. Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction BLM Field Offices are also remaining under fire restrictions.

“Current circumstances allow for lifting fire restrictions, but that may not be the case a few weeks or a month from now,” said Routt County Sheriff John Warner. “If we return to the extreme conditions that prompted the restrictions initially we may have to reinstate them later on.”

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. 

The criteria used to determine when to implement fire restrictions include: moisture content in fuel (vegetation) both live and dead; Energy Release Component (ERC) or the intensity at which a fire will burn by measuring; are there adequate resources to handle fires; adverse weather conditions; Palmer drought index; and number of human caused fires.

“The general public has a role to play in the setting of fire restrictions,” said Fire Management Officer Cliff Hutton.  “One of the criteria that trigger restrictions is the number of human caused fires.  People need to continue to act responsibly with any use of outdoor fires.”  

Enjoy the outdoors while recreating and remember to contact your local county sheriffs department or land management office as many areas still have fire restrictions in effect.

-BLM-