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CAÑON CITY, Colo. – Current and forecasted weather, coupled with dry conditions, have prompted the BLM’s Royal Gorge Field Office to again implement fire restrictions on BLM-managed lands in Lake, Chaffee, and Fremont counties. In addition to the heightened risk for fires, increased fire activity in Colorado and beyond has limited the availability of firefighting resources in the region. Stage 1 fire restrictions will go into effect on August 19, 2020 in these three counties. 

“Hot and dry conditions have increased fire danger in these counties,” said Royal Gorge Field Office Manager Keith Berger. “We urge those using public lands to be careful with fire and prevent human-caused wildfires when recreating.” 
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 in these three counties are in addition to fire restrictions already in place on BLM-managed lands in many counties across the Royal Gorge Field Office. BLM lands in Park County are in Stage 2 fire restrictions; Stage 1 fire restrictions continue for public lands in Custer, El Paso, Huerfano, Las Animas, Pueblo, Teller, and Boulder counties. 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.