Stage I Fire Restrictions Instituted on BLM Public Lands in San Juan County; Remain in Effect in Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, Saguache, and San Miguel Counties
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MONTROSE, Colo. – On Wednesday, July 3, the Bureau of Land Management will institute Stage I Fire Restrictions on public lands in San Juan County. Stage I Fire Restrictions will remain in effect on BLM public lands in Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel Counties, as well as public lands in Saguache County managed by the BLM Gunnison Field Office.
“Each week, county, state and federal officials discuss current fire weather conditions and human-caused fire occurrence,” said Barbara Sharrow, BLM Uncompahgre Field Manager. “While the fuels are still susceptible to new fire starts, there has been no increase in human-caused wildfires since instituting Stage I Fire Restrictions. Individuals’ awareness of the conditions and adherence to the current fire restrictions has been admirable.” The federal agencies continuously monitor conditions and will modify the restrictions as needed.
As a reminder, the following acts are prohibited under Stage I Fire Restrictions within the Restricted Areas:
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. Exceptions: Petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices are allowed, as well as fires in constructed, permanent fire pits or fire grates within developed recreation sites.
- Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, in a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
- The use of fireworks, flares, or other incendiary devices are always prohibited on federal lands.
Exemptions to the Stage I Fire Restrictions include authorized activities of any Federal, State or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting effort in the performance of an official duty. Additionally, holders of valid BLM permits, leases and authorizations are allowed to conduct approved activities, but are advised to take extra precautions to prevent fire starts.
To determine current fire restrictions throughout Colorado, please visithttp://www.coemergency.com/p/fire-bans-danger.html.
For information on wildfires and restrictions in the area, call the Southwest District Fire Management Information line (970.240.1070), visit the MIFMU website (http://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/dispatch_centers/r2mtc/), or follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/SWD_Fire) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/BLMMontroseFireUnit).
The Southwest District Fire Management program covers the BLM Colorado’s Southwest District and the Gunnison Field Office (BLM), the Uncompahgre Field Office (BLM), and Tres Rios Field Office (BLM) in the Colorado counties of Archuleta, Conejos, Delta, Dolores, Gunnison, Hinsdale, La Plata, Mesa, Mineral, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, Rio Grande, Saguache, San Juan and San Miguel.
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.