By Randi Pierce
Staff Writer
Additional fire restriction have been implemented for southwestern Colorado.
On May 29, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Tres Rios Field Office implemented stage 1 fire restrictions due to dry conditions and high fire danger, following the U.S. Forest Service and Hinsdale County in implementing restrictions in the area.
Fire restrictions were implemented on and around May 22 for the lower-elevation areas of the San Juan National Forest,the Upper Piedra area of southern Hinsdale County and La Plata County.
According to the BLM, its restrictions apply to all BLM-administered public lands within the boundaries of Archuleta, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Montezuma, San Juan and San Miguel counties, and the of Canyon of the Ancients National Monument until rescinded.
“Fire danger indices within the Tres Rios Field Office are currently very high to extreme,” said Tres Rios Field Office Manager Derek Padilla. “These restrictions are being implemented due to persistent drought conditions and ongoing coordination with our county and federal partners.”
In addition to year‑round wildfire prevention rules, the following are restricted under stage 1 on BLM lands:
• Campfires: You may only have a campfire in agency-provided fire grates located in developed campgrounds and recreation sites. You can use stoves that use gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel. Fire pans and rock campfire rings are not acceptable.
• Smoking: Do not smoke unless you are inside a vehicle or building, at a developed recreation site or in an outdoor area cleared of flammable materials (at least a 3-foot-wide barren spot).
• Explosives/exploding targets: Do not use exploding targets or other explosive materials.
• Torch or welding work: Do not use a welder (gas or arc) or operate a torch with an open flame unless you have a pressurized fire extinguisher (minimum 8 ounces) and work in a cleared area that is at least 10 feet in diameter.
• Spark arrestors required: You may only use chain saws with a working USDA or SAE-approved spark arrestor. You must also have a chemical fire extinguisher (at least 8 ounces) and a round point shovel (at least 36 inches long) nearby. No operation of any internal combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed and in working order.
Additional BLM Colorado fire information can be found on the BLM website at www.blm.gov/programs/fire/regional-info/colorado.
Information on fire restrictions and current fires, including prescribed fires and fuels treatment projects, throughout the state using the BLM Colorado Fire Information Dashboard at https://bit.ly/4ekKzPb.
Drought conditions
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 100 percent of Archuleta County remained in severe or extreme drought as of May 26, with 36.15 percent falling into the extreme category — both figures consistent with earlier in May.
At the beginning of the calendar year, 100 percent of the of the county fell into the lowest drought category — abnormally dry.
Helping drought conditions worsen has been below-average precipitation four out of the five completed months.
According to Pagosa Weather, Pagosa Springs has received 5.07 inches of precipitation, which is 61 percent of the annual year-to-date average of 8.51 inches.
In May, the organization states on its website, 0.37 inches of precipitation was observed in Pagosa Springs, which falls short of the historical average of 1.26 inches.
National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center outlooks favor above-average temperatures and chances of precipitation for June, primarily during the first part of the month.
River flow
River flows also continue to be below median, with the peak runoff occurring in mid-May — earlier than is typical.
As of early Wednesday afternoon, June 3, the San Juan River at Pagosa Springs was flowing at 356 cubic feet per second (cfs) — below the median of 1,390 cfs.
The record low for June 3 occurred in 2002 with a flow of 116 cfs, while the high of 4,090 occurred in 1948.
randi@pagosasun.com
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