| Contacts: | David Boyd, Public Affairs Specialist, (970) 876-9008 |
Firefighters and BLM rangers respond to multiple human-caused fires over holiday (07-07-10)
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Law enforcement and fire officials with the Bureau of Land Management in Grand Junction say at least a dozen wildfires on BLM lands were caused by people over the holiday weekend and were easily avoidable.
Fireworks, abandoned campfires, even driving a vehicle off-road all led to wildfires over the weekend. Firefighters were able to access these fires fairly quickly and keep them small. Fire danger is already high, however, and as conditions continue to dry, the potential for larger fires increases even more.
BLM rangers made several hundred contacts over the weekend. Most visitors were safely enjoying BLM lands and following the fire restrictions in place for the Grand Junction and Colorado River Valley field offices. But BLM rangers did come across several violations.
Rangers wrote eight notices of violations for fireworks and two for campfires. Two violations were also issued for starting wildfires, which require a mandatory court appearance. Those found responsible for starting wildfires on public lands are also subject to reimburse BLM for firefighting costs and land rehabilitation.
Fire restrictions are in place for the Grand Junction and Colorado River Valley field offices, which include BLM lands in Eagle, Garfield, Mesa and Pitkin counties. Some portions of southern Rio Blanco and Routt counties and northern portions of Delta and Montrose counties are also included within these BLM field office boundaries and covered by these restrictions. Restrictions in these areas include:
· campfires are only allowed within designated fire grates in developed campgrounds (fire pans are not acceptable)
· no fires of any type including charcoal outside of developed areas
· no smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or in a barren area free of vegetation
· no use of explosive materials
· no welding or operation of an acetylene or other similar torch with open flame
· no operation of any internal combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed and in working order
· no fireworks on federal lands
Restrictions on these BLM lands will be in place until further notice. Violation of federal fire restrictions is punishable by a fine of not more than $100,000 or imprisonment for not more than 12 months or both. Those found responsible for starting wildfires will also face restitution costs of suppressing the fire.
For more information about fire restrictions in these areas, log on to http://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/dispatch_centers/r2gjc/ or call the Grand Junction Field Office at (970) 244-3000 or the Colorado River Valley Field Office at (970) 876-9000.
The White River and Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison national forests have not enacting fire restrictions at this time because of generally higher elevations and variability in fuel moisture conditions. Forest officials remind visitors, however, that a fire danger is always present and urge visitors to be very careful with fire, smoking, chainsaws and vehicle exhausts and converters – all of which can cause fires.
The BLM manages more land - over 245 million acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
2815 H Road Grand Junction, CO 81506