The Grand County Board of County Commissioners have voted to lift fire restrictions; this will go into effect on Friday, Sept. 19. The commissioners voted on this during their meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16, following the recommendation of Grand County Sheriff Brett Schroetlin.

Previously, the commissioners voted to enter Stage 1 restrictions during their meeting on Sept. 9, which was the sheriff’s recommendation at the time.

“The Grand County Sheriff’s Office consistently monitors fire conditions and the necessity of fire restrictions on a regular basis,” the sheriff’s office stated in a news release. “The decisions surrounding fire restrictions are based on a scientific fire restriction matrix that is used across northwest Colorado.”

Staff used their scientific fire restriction matrix to make the choice to lift the restrictions. According to the sheriff’s office, the decision to lower restrictions was based on the latest conditions and data in the matrix.

“We followed the fire science into restrictions and our matrix works the same way for assessing this science when we reduce restrictions as well,” Sheriff Schroetlin stated. “We are reminding the public who will use fire for recreation or other reasons to exercise safe practices for making an area safe to have a fire, fully extinguish it, and report any unattended fires.”

Individuals can also learn more about fire restrictions at Co.Grand.Co.Us.