White River National Forest and BLM Upper Colorado River District move to stage 1 fire restrictions

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – All lands managed by the White River National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management Upper Colorado River District will be under stage 1 fire restrictions beginning Friday, Sept. 5. 

Under stage 1 restrictions for the Bureau of Land Management and White River National Forest:

• campfires are only allowed within designated fire grates in developed picnic areas and campgrounds (including the Forest Service Homestake Valley designated dispersed camping sites in Eagle County); this means a metal, permanently installed in-ground containment structure -- fire pans and rock campfire rings are not acceptable.
• no fires of any type including charcoal outside of developed areas
• fully enclosed metal stoves common in hunting tents are allowed on the White River National Forest provided the chimney is at least five feet in length and has a spark arrester with a quarter-inch or less screen opening and the area is cleared of vegetation   
• 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, including explosive targets
• 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

"Although the recent moisture across much of western Colorado has helped lower fire danger, we expect a return to hot dry weather, and conditions still warrant stage 1 fire restrictions,” said BLM Upper Colorado River District Manager Greg Larson. “We urge all residents and visitors to be vigilant and responsible with any outdoor activities that could spark a fire. Remember, fireworks are not allowed on federal land.

“Although we are lowering fire restrictions, we will still be under stage 1 fire restrictions,” said White River National Forest Supervisor Brian Glaspell. “In developed campgrounds where campfires are again permitted, please ensure your fire is completely out and cold before leaving.” 

Officials consider several criteria when determining the need for fire restrictions, including current and anticipated fire danger, resource availability, and consistency with neighboring jurisdictions. Local, county, state and federal officials within this area evaluate and coordinate fire restrictions weekly during fire season. 

The restriction orders detailing the specific prohibitions are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts and Upper Colorado River District Fire Restrictions. 

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The Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire and Aviation Management Unit (UCR) includes Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service firefighting resources that cover 5.8 million acres along the Interstate 70, Colorado River and Roaring Fork River corridors from the Continental Divide to the Utah state line. The UCR includes the White River National Forest and the BLM’s Colorado River Valley and Grand Junction field offices. The UCR cooperates with other federal and state agencies, local communities, and fire departments on a wide range of activities including fuels treatments, fire prevention, and suppression.