Due to rapidly deteriorating fuel moisture levels, extended exceptional drought conditions and a high potential of forecasted dry lightning, the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Board of County Commissioners and local emergency officials, will officially implement Stage 2 fire restrictions for all private and county-owned lands within Archuleta County, effective as of 6 p.m. on Monday, July 6.
This escalation moves the county from Stage 1 to Stage 2 restrictions, aligning local safety measures with the forest-wide Stage 2 restrictions enacted by the San Juan National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Southwest District.
"Southwest Colorado is currently facing an extremely critical fire environment," said Le Roux "With forecasted high temperatures, persistent winds and critically dry vegetation, the risk of a catastrophic wildfire is severely elevated. We are asking all residents and visitors to strictly adhere to these restrictions to protect our community and our first responders."
Under the Stage 2 open burning restrictions, the following activities are strictly prohibited within Archuleta County:
• No campfires or grills: Building, maintaining, attending,or using any open fire, campfire or charcoal/wood-burning barbecue grill is prohibited. This applies to all locations, including developed campgrounds, picnic areas and private property.
• Smoking Restrictions: Smoking outdoors is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer or building.
• No open flames/welding: Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame is strictly prohibited. Welding and cutting will be permitted with a 20-foot radius safe zone free of vegetation, one 2-1/2 gallon pressurized fire extinguisher or a 5 pound. An ABC extinguisher or a pressurized water supply and proper hand tools must be on-site, and a fire watch individual must be standing by continuously.
• Equipment precautions: Operating any internal combustion engine (such as a chain saw) without a properly installed and working spark arresting device is prohibited. Chain saw operators must also carry a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher and a round-point shovel.
• Explosives and fireworks: The use of explosives, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, and tracers or incendiary ammunition is strictly prohibited.
Allowed activities:
• Persons are permitted to use stoves, grills and lanterns fueled solely by liquid petroleum gas, propane or pressurized liquid fuel, provided they can be turned completely on and off extinguishing the flame with a valve, and are operated in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.
Enforcement and penalties:
The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office and local emergency operations personnel will strictly enforce these restrictions.
Residents are urged to sign up for local emergency alerts via the Archuleta County Emergency Management portal and practice heightened vehicle safety guidelines (ensuring trailer chains do not drag, checking tire pressures to prevent rim sparks, and avoiding parking on dry grass).
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