The Bureau of Land Management Kremmling Field Office and the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland have both announced that stage one fire restrictions will go into effect on agency lands starting July 17.

All public lands administered by the BLM Kremmling Field Office within Grand, Eagle Summit and Larimer counties are effected by the fire ban, as well as National Forest lands in Grand County.

The release writes that the restrictions align with local orders and guidelines to protect the public’s safety during high fire danger. The Forest Service collaborated with the Grand County Sheriff’s Office, local fire districts and other federal land managers.

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

On 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 throughout the county.

What are stage one fire restrictions?

Under stage one, activities with a high potential of starting wildfires include but not limited to campfire use. Open fires are only permitted within Forest Service installed and maintained fire rings within developed recreation areas and campgrounds that are maintained by a campground host.

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. The news release from the Forest Service writes that when whether someone is starting a campfire in a developed site, or using an approved heating device, visitors should never leave a fire unattended.

Under stage one fire restrictions, the following acts are prohibited:

• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire outside of fire grates at developed recreation sites.
• Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
• Operating a chainsaw without an approved and functioning spark arrester, a chemical fire extinguisher and one round shovel.
• Using exploding targets or fireworks.

Individuals and groups found violating the fire restrictions may be punished with fines or imprisonment. Anyone found responsible for starting wildfires may also 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.