BLM Tres Rios Field Office lifts Stage I Fire Restrictions

Organization

Bureau of Land Management

BLM Office:

Southwest District Office

Media Contact:

Deana Harms

DOLORES, Colo. – Current Stage I Fire Prevention Order COS01-23-02 will be rescinded on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the Tres Rios Field Office and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument effective at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, August 31, 2023. “Recent rains over much of the region have lessened, but not eliminated, the danger from fire, allowing restrictions to be lifted. The public is advised to be cautious with activities that could potentially ignite a fire,” said Southwest District Assistant Fire Management Officer Rusty Stark.

Annual Fire Prevention Order COS01-23-01 for the Durango Special Recreation Management Area, which implements fire restrictions within the Durango city limits, La Plata County, Colorado—including BLM lands in the Grandview, Animas City Mountain, and Skyline areas—will remain in effect until rescinded. “These areas adjacent to City of Durango are ‘Day Use Only,’ and overnight camping and campfires are prohibited to reduce fire risk,” said Derek Padilla, Tres Rios Field Manager. “We encourage the public to respect the land by recreating responsibly using ‘Leave No Trace’ practices and preventing wildfires while enjoying their public lands.”

Fire officials remind visitors to practice these principles of outdoor fire safety:

  • Clear all flammable material within three feet of campfire rings.
  • Make a fire only if you have enough water and a shovel to put it out.
  • Never leave a fire unattended and keep fires small and manageable.
  • Extinguish fires completely. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.
  • Avoid parking or idle vehicles in tall dry grass; the heat from the vehicle can spark a wildfire.
  • Secure chains from vehicles or towed trailers so they do not drag and cause a wildfire.
  • Fireworks are never allowed on federally managed lands.

For more information on fire restrictions, visit https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/colorado/southwest-district or https://westslopefireinfo.com/.

For the most up-to-date information on wildland fire/prescribed burns in the Southwest District, you can follow our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BLMMontroseFireUnit or Twitter https://twitter.com/SWD_Fire


The BLM manages more than 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.