| Contacts: | Shannon Borders (BLM), 970-240-5399 | |||
| Ann Bond (USFS), 970-385-1219 |
USFS and BLM fire lift fire restrictions in five southwestern Colorado counties (07-31-12)
MONTROSE, Colo. – On Wednesday, Aug. 1, the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service will lift all fire restrictions on public lands in southwestern Colorado.
The BLM will lift restrictions within Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Mineral and Montezuma counties (previously, fire restrictions were also rescinded on public lands within San Juan and Hinsdale counties). The San Juan National Forest will lift the remaining fire restrictions for its lower elevations, known as Zone 1, in Montezuma, La Plata and Archuleta counties.
“In Colorado, the fire season continues through September, so we encourage the public to remain cautious and follow fire safety tips,” said Lori Armstrong, BLM southwest district manager.
Human caused fires account for nearly 90 percent of the wildfires in the U.S. Prevent wildfire by following these tips:
• Before starting a fire, make sure a shovel, bucket and container of water are available to contain the fire if needed.
• Clear flammable debris away from the site.
• Never start a fire on a windy day.
• Take the time to make sure your fire is dead out.
“We thank everyone for their cooperation with our fire restrictions this season,” said Mark Stiles, San Juan National Forest Supervisor.
For more information, go to http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/district_offices/southwest.html#Restrictions or http://www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan.
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.
2465 South Townsend Avenue Montrose, CO 81401