Grand County and BLM enter stage 1 fire restrictions, fires allowed in developed sites
On Wednesday, Aug. 21, Grand County and the Bureau of Land Management Kremmling Field Office entered stage 1 fire restrictions. In this stage, fires are allowed in developed recreation areas. Open fires are not allowed outside developed recreation sites. Smoking is only allowed within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation area or when at least 6 feet away from all combustible materials.
A violation of Grand County fire restrictions is punishable by a $1,000.00 fine for each separate offense.
The Kremmling Field Office’s stage 1 fire restrictions are effective on BLM public lands in Larimer and Grand counties.
“We work with our agency partners and evaluate conditions, including the moisture content of vegetation, predicted weather and evaluating other risk factors to make a fire restrictions decision,” said Kremmling Field Office Manager Stephen Leonard. “Due to moderating conditions, we are changing from stage 2 to stage 1 fire restrictions.”
On Aug. 6, Grand County entered into stage 2 fire restrictions that banned nearly all fires, except for stoves that can be instantly turned off.
Grand County Sheriff Brett Schroetlin recommended the implementation of stage 1 fire restrictions to the Grand County Board of County Commissioners, which was approved, during a meeting that took place Tuesday, Aug. 20.
The decision came as the result of recent moisture, Front Range fire activity lessening, and the use of a scientific fire restriction matrix.
Agencies such as the sheriff’s office, local fire districts, BLM and the Sulphur Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests all work together to discuss the implementation of fire restrictions.
Fire restrictions in Grand County can be checked by calling the fire restrictions phone line for a prerecorded message at 970-725-3852. Anyone who needs to report a fire restriction violation should contact the Grand County Communications Center at 970-725-3311. The sheriff’s office urges individuals not to personally address these issues “for your safety” and instead to allow deputies to handle these instances.
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