San Juan National Forest fire management staff are implementing Stage I fire restrictions in Zone 1, the lower elevations of the forest, beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1.
The minimum fine for violating campfire restrictions in Stage I on National Forest System Lands is $530 in Colorado. Fire restrictions are being implemented in close coordination with other jurisdictions across Southwest Colorado.
Fire restrictions on the San Juan National Forest will only be implemented in lower elevations to account for variable conditions across the forest. Low-elevation areas are more susceptible to wildfire risk due to rapid vegetation curing and dry surface fuels, while higher elevation areas are still green and maintaining higher fuel moistures. There are no fire restrictions in the higher elevation areas of the San Juan National Forest.
Under Stage I, campfires are only allowed in developed Forest Service campgrounds with a metal or concrete fire ring. There are also limitations on smoking, operating a chainsaw, and other activities.
More on the restrictions can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/sanjuan/alerts/stage-i-fire-restrictions.
