On Tuesday, July 15, the Grand County Board of County Commissioners voted to enact stage one fire restrictions beginning July 17, at 12:01 a.m., banning dispersed campfires and other high-risk activities.

Federal land managers including the Bureau of Land Management Kremmling Field Office and the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland have also adopted stage one fire restrictions will go into effect on agency lands starting July 17.

A July 15 news release from the Grand County Sheriff’s Office stated that the office works with local fire districts and federal partners to monitor fire conditions and the necessity of fire restrictions on a regular basis. Partners include agencies like the Kremmling BLM field office, the U.S. Forest Service’s Sulphur Ranger District and the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest.

These agencies are working together in an attempt to have fire restrictions coincide at the same time to minimize confusion among the public.

The decision to place fire restrictions in Grand County are based on a “a scientific fire restriction matrix” used across Northwest Colorado, according to the county release.

The implementation of fire restrictions means that there is an increase in fire danger and that the benefits of keeping lands open to all activities begin to be outweighed by the risks of doing so.

Stage one restrictions are aimed at preventing the start of wildfires based on high-risk human activities, specifically smoking and campfires.

The following activities are prohibited under stage one fire restrictions:

• Building, maintaining, attending or using an open fire outside a developed recreation site. 
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed campground or picnic area or while stopped in an area of at least six feet in diameter that is barren of all combustible materials.
• Operating a chainsaw without an approved spark-arresting device properly installed and functional.
• Welding or operating torches with open flame, except in an area of at least ten feet in diameter that is barren of all combustible materials.
• Incendiary devices, like fireworks.

As of July 17, there were no wildfires currently burning in Grand County, though smoke from fire from the southwest clouded the skies with a light haze throughout the day.

Grand County Commissioners adopt restrictions

Sheriff Brett Schroetlin recommended the implementation of stage one fire restrictions to the county commissioners during their meeting on Tuesday, July 15.

Grand County’s stage one fire ban will be in effect for 30 days until it is automatically repealed. However, the ban could also be repealed earlier or extended longer by commissioners as they continue to hear advice from the sheriff.

Under these restrictions, open fires in Grand County are prohibited outside a developed recreation site, meaning that dispersed campfires in forested areas are not permitted.

The following activities and uses are allowed under stage one fire restrictions:

• Open fires in developed campgrounds with fees and hosts or picnic areas with permanently constructed fire grates or charcoal grills.
• Fires contained within liquid or gas fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices and wood pellet grills and stoves.
• Open fires at private residences within permanent or portable outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, chimineas and grills.
• Permissible fireworks according to state statute. Permitted fireworks displays in Grand County are allowed.

Each town in Grand County also has the ability to adopt fire restrictions.

To hear the latest about fire restrictions in Grand County, call the Grand County Fire Restrictions Phone Line at 970-725-3852 for a prerecorded message with information.

Individuals can also view current fire restrictions at GCEmergency.com.

The release states that the agency’s goal is to “seek voluntary compliance with fire restrictions as we all do our part to prevent wildfires.” To report a fire restriction violation, call the Grand County Communications Center at 970-725-3311.

“For your safety, please do not personally address these issues and allow our deputies to handle this,” the release reads.

A violation of Grand County fire restrictions is punishable by a $1,000 fine for each separate offense.

Bureau of Land Management adopts fire restrictions

All public lands administered by the BLM Kremmling Field Office within Grand, Eagle Summit and Larimer counties will be under the stage one fire ban starting July 17.

Due to the forecasted dry weather patterns and the dry conditions of the fuels, the BLM is asking the public to reduce wildfire risk by following the stage one fire restrictions.

Violation of these federal fire restrictions is punishable with a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both. Additionally, anyone found responsible for starting wildfires will face restitution costs of suppressing the fire.

Current fire prevention notices for the BLM Northwest District are posted online at BLM.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/colorado/northwest-district.

National Forests follow with fire ban

Following the county commissioner’s actions, the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland have also enacted Stage 1 fire restrictions on National Forest lands in Grand County.

The decision was made in collaboration with the Grand County Sheriff’s Office, local fire districts and other federal land managers, according to the release from the district.

Open fires are only permitted within Forest Service fire rings located in developed recreation areas and campgrounds that are maintained by a campground host under stage one restrictions.

Even on Forest Service land where campfires are permitted, visitors should still remember to follow proper fire maintenance guidelines by never leaving a campfire unattended and fully extinguishing the campfire with large amounts of water until the coals are cold to the touch.

In other areas of the National Forests, visitors may use stoves and heating devices fueled by liquid or gas and features an on/off switch. Whether someone is starting a campfire in a developed site, or using an approved heating device, visitors should never leave a fire unattended.

Violation of stage one fire restrictions could result in a maximum fine of $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment of up to six months, or both.