BLM sets fire restrictions in NW Colorado

RBC I Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit has announced that many Bureau of Land Management lands in Northwest Colorado have already entered into fire restrictions to lessen the chance of human-caused wildfires.
Fire managers base decisions about fire restrictions on specific moisture measurements in vegetation known as Live Fuel Moisture Content. Other risk factors are also examined.
Several weeks of hot and dry weather have increased fire danger.
BLM-managed lands in Eagle County entered Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on June 27.
BLM-managed lands in Rio Blanco, Moffat, Jackson and Grand counties entered Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on June 25.
The BLM will enforce temporary restrictions:
• Campfires are only allowed within designated fire grates in developed campgrounds (i.e. a metal, in-ground containment structure — 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;
• 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.
• Fireworks are always prohibited on BLM, National Forest and National Park Service lands.
Restrictions on these BLM lands will be in place until further notice. Violation of federal fire restrictions is punishable by a fine of not more than $100,000 or imprisonment for not more than 12 months or both. Those found responsible for starting wildfires will also face restitution costs of suppressing the fire. For more information about fire restrictions in these areas, log on to gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/dispatch_centers/r2crc/index.htm or call the Public Affairs at 970-210-2126.
Rio Blanco issued blanket fire restrictions on all lands in the county as of June 24 although most of those restrictions follow the BLM rules.