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Fire restrictions now in effect on White River National Forest and unincorporated lands in Garfield County (06-08-12)
(Glenwood Springs, CO) June 7, 2012 - The White National Forest and Garfield County now have fire restrictions in place that do not allow open fires. The Forest Service and Garfield County Sheriff’s office are working hand-in-hand in an effort to prevent human-caused wildfires during this dangerously dry fire season. This decision was made in consultation with local fire departments and fire protection districts. It is based upon the current extreme burn index and long-range weather forecasts predicting continuing dry conditions with the potential for high winds resulting in red flag warnings.
“I realize these restrictions will cause some inconveniences to forest users. But the conditions we are experiencing are severe. The potential for large expensive wildfires is real. We need to take these steps to minimize the potential for human-caused fire,” said Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams.
On the White River National Forest and in unincorporated Garfield County lands, the following activities are not allowed:
Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, coal or wood-burning stove, any type of charcoal-fueled broiler or open fire of any type.
EXCEPT: Fires are allowed in constructed, permanent fire pits or fire grates
within developed Forest Service camp and picnic grounds or recreation sites and petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices that meet the fire underwriter’s specifications for safety. Fires that are maintained or attended within a device that has a spark arrestor or where the fire is fully enclosed within a screen at all times is allowed.
Smoking cigarettes, except within an enclosed vehicle, building or developed recreation site.
Operating a chainsaw, except those with approved spark arrestors. Operator must have a shovel and fire extinguisher.
Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.
Operating or using any internal combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order.
Fireworks are not allowed at any time on any public lands administered by The U.S. Forest Service, The Bureau of Land Management or the National Park Service.
For the latest information on fire restrictions, call a Forest Service office near you, or the Garfield County Sheriff's Office.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. 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.
2300 River Frontage Road Silt, CO 81652