Royal Gorge Field Office implements fire restrictions on BLM lands in four northern Colorado counties
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CAÑON CITY, Colo. – The forecast of continuing dry and warm conditions has prompted the BLM’s Royal Gorge Field Office to implement fire restrictions on BLM-managed lands in four counties in eastern Colorado. Stage 1 fire restrictions will go into effect today, June 25, 2021 on BLM Royal Gorge Field Office-managed lands in Boulder, Gilpin, Larimer, and Weld counties.
“Fire danger has been increasing as temperatures have been warm, precipitation has been limited, and vegetation has been drying quickly,” said Royal Gorge Field Office Manager Keith Berger. “These fire restrictions are intended to reduce the chance of preventable fires on BLM-managed lands in these counties.”
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions prohibit the following acts:
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire except within agency-provided fire grates at developed recreation sites. Devices using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are permitted.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 acetylene or other torch with open flame, except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter with a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity.
- Using exploding targets.
These fire restrictions are in addition to the year-round wildfire prevention restrictions on BLM-administered public lands in Colorado. These prohibit:
- Leaving a fire unattended or unextinguished.
- Possession, discharge or use of any fireworks.
- Discharge of a firearm using incendiary or tracer ammunition.
- Burn, ignite or cause to burn any tire, wire, magnesium, or any other hazardous or explosive material.
- Operate any off-road vehicle on public lands unless the vehicle is equipped with a properly installed spark arrester pursuant to 43 CFR 8343.1(c).
The restrictions on BLM-managed lands in these four counties coincides with restrictions enacted by the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland. For more information about current fire restrictions in the Royal Gorge Field Office, please visit the Rocky Mountain District Fire Restrictions page.
Fire restrictions will be in place until further notice. In addition to criminal penalties, those found responsible for starting wildfires may also face restitution costs of suppressing the 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.