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Rocky Mountain District field offices enter stage 2 fire restrictions

Colorado
Rocky Mountain DO
Media Contact
Levi Spellman
BLM Office:
San Luis Valley Field Office

CAÑON CITY, Colo. — To protect human life and public lands in the face of elevated fire danger, the Bureau of Land Management’s Rocky Mountain District Office will implement stage 2 fire restrictions beginning today. These restrictions apply to the Royal Gorge and San Luis Valley field offices, which include all BLM-administered public lands within the boundaries of Alamosa, Baca, Bent, Boulder, Chaffee, Clear Creek, Conejos, Costilla, Crowley, Custer, El Paso, Fremont, Gilpin, Huerfano, Jefferson, Kiowa, Lake, Larimer, Las Animas, Lincoln, Logan, Mineral, Morgan, Otero, Park, Powers, Pueblo, Rio Grande, Saguache, Sedgwick, Teller, Washington, Weld, and Yuma counties. Restrictions remain in place until rescinded.

"The move to Stage 2 Fire Restrictions was made after careful review of current conditions and wildfire risk," said Chris Ziegler, the acting District Manager for the BLM's Rocky Mountain District. "Prolonged heat, low humidity, and steady winds have rapidly dried vegetation, making heightened restrictions necessary. Our top priority is protecting the safety of our communities, visitors, and public lands."

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions

In addition to year-round wildfire prevention rules and stage 1 restrictions, the following are prohibited:

  • Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire, or the use of charcoal barbeques and grills. However, devices using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are exempted.
  • Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
  • Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and working, a chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity by weight, and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches.
  • Using a welder, either arc or gas, or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame.
  • Using exploding targets.

For more information about fire restrictions in this area, please contact the Royal Gorge Field Office at (719) 269-8500, or the San Luis Valley Field Office at (719) 852-7074. Find current federal and state fire restrictions using the new Rocky Mountain Area Interagency Fire Restriction Dashboard.

The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.