Bureau of Land Management Tres Rios Field Office implements Stage 1 fire restrictions

Stage 1 fire restrictions begin Tuesday, July 1, for all public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Tres Rios Field Office within the boundaries of Archuleta, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Montezuma, San Juan, San Miguel and the of Canyon of the Ancients National Monument. The restrictions align with local orders and guidelines to protect the public’s safety during high fire danger.

“The fire danger indices within the Tres Rios Field Office are at very high to extreme” said Southwest District Fire Management Officer Rusty Stark. “These restrictions are being put in place due to the persistent drought and weather conditions.”

Under Stage 1 fire restrictions:

• Campfires are only allowed within an agency provided fire grate at developed recreation sites.  Devices using gas, petroleum jelly or pressurized liquid fuel are permitted. Fire pans and rock campfire rings are not acceptable.
• No fires of any type, including charcoal, outside of developed areas.
• 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 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.

Stage 1 fire restrictions on these lands will become effective at 12:01 a.m., MDT, July 1 and will be in place until rescinded. Violation of federal fire restrictions is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 12 months or both. In addition, those found responsible for starting wildfires will also face restitution costs of suppressing the fire.

These fire restrictions are in addition to the year-round wildfire prevention restrictions on BLM-administered public lands in Colorado. These include prohibitions on:

• Leaving a fire unattended or unextinguished.
• Possession, discharge or use of any fireworks.
• Discharge of a firearm using incendiary or tracer ammunition.
• Burning, igniting or causing to burn any tire, wire, magnesium, or any other hazardous or explosive material.
• Operating any off-road vehicle on public lands unless the vehicle is equipped with a properly installed spark arrester pursuant to 43 CFR 8343.1 (c).

Fireworks are always prohibited on public lands. More information about fire prevention is available at: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/get-involved/fire-prevention. For West Slope fire information, visit https://westslopefireinfo.com.