Stage 2 fire restrictions implemented for BLM across much of Northwest Colorado
Organization
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
Craig, Colo. – Stage 2 fire restrictions will begin Thursday, August 13 for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administered lands in Garfield, Grand, Eagle, Pitkin, Mesa, Rio Blanco, and Summit counties.
Based on recent fire activity in the region and increased fire risk county officials across northwest Colorado along with the Colorado River Valley, Kremmling, and White River field offices have decided to implement stage 2 fire restrictions before this weekend.
The BLM will enforce the following temporary restrictions on all BLM public lands under stage 2 fire restrictions until further notice:
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire, charcoal grill, coal, wood burning stove or sheepherders stove, including in developed camping and picnic grounds. Devices using pressurized liquid or gas are exempted.
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer, building or tent.
- Using an explosive requiring fuse or blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets and tracers or incendiary ammunition.
- Operating or using any internal combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order meeting either:
(a) Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100-1a; or
(b) Appropriate Society of automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practice J335(b) and J350(a). 36 CFR 261.52(j)
- Operating a chainsaw without an approved spark arrestor, and without a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher and a round-point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches. The extinguisher will be with the equipment operator. The shovel may be kept with fueling supplies but readily available for use.
- Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame (except with a current permit, contract or letter of authorization).
Maps and fire restriction orders are available at https://go.usa.gov/xfTJm. General information about fire restrictions in Colorado is available at http://www.coemergency.com/p/fire-bans- danger.html.
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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.