Fire restrictions begin July 29 for BLM lands in Garfield County
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SILT, Colo. – Stage 1 fire restrictions begin July 29 for Bureau of Land Management-administered lands in Garfield County.
Fire managers base decisions about fire restrictions on specific moisture measurements in vegetation and other risk factors.
“While we have received some moisture in this area over the past few weeks, we are drier than normal and fire danger has reached high levels at elevations below about 8,000 feet,” said Karl Mendonca, Field Manager for the BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office.
BLM will be enforcing temporary restrictions of:
- campfires are only allowed within designated fire grates in developed campgrounds (i.e. a metal, in-ground containment structure -- fire pans and rock campfire rings 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 except from an area that has been cleared of vegetation
- no operation of any internal combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed and in working order
Fireworks are always prohibited on BLM, National Forest and National Park Service lands.
The BLM Grand Junction Field Office and Mesa County have been in fire restrictions since July 22.
Based on local conditions, the White River National Forest is not initiating fire restrictions at this time, nor is BLM for lands in Eagle and Pitkin counties. Fire officials caution that there is still a fire danger in these areas, and remind people to be careful with fire.
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, https://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/fire_restrictions.php or call the Colorado River Valley Field Office at (970) 876-9000.
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.