For Immediate Release:
Public Land Agencies Rescind Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
Montrose, Colorado, October 1, 2020 – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Gunnison, Uncompahgre and Tres Rios Field Offices; National Park Service (NPS), Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area and the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests will transition out of all current fire restrictions effective at 12:01 a.m. Friday, October 2. Fire Managers based their decision on specific conditions such as fuel moisture measurements in vegetation, predicted weather and the amount of current fire activity in the area. Using the best available science, recent measurements and predictive models have shown an improvement in these conditions leading to a decrease in wildfire risk.
Although fire restrictions have been lifted, fire managers would like to remind visitors to continue to be attentive of their actions and surroundings especially in areas with dry vegetation or dead trees by practicing smart wildfire prevention behavior while recreating and hunting on public lands.
Recreational users on public lands should keep a few things in mind that can help prevent an unintentional wildfire. To reduce wildfire risk, please consider the following:
• Practicing proper vehicle maintenance; ensuring that tow chains are secured, and a vehicle has no dragging parts, check tire pressure and properly maintaining your breaks. Even chains dragging along the ground, such as those on ATVs, can spark fires.
• When target shooting taking a few simple precautions can prevent devastating results: place your target on dirt or gravel, switch to paper targets, avoid incendiary targets and exploding ammunition, bring a shovel and fire extinguisher, and report any fires by calling 911.
• Fireworks are never permitted on public lands.
• Never leave a fire unattended and make sure that you completely put out your campfire before leaving your campsite. Practice the drown, stir, feel method when extinguishing your campfire. Use water or dirt to douse the fire, stir the ashes and if necessary continue to add water or dirt until the fire is smothered.
• When smoking, always dispose of cigarette debris in an ashtray.
• Avoid driving and parking in tall grasses. Exhaust particles and hot exhaust pipes can start grass fires. Park your vehicles/trailers and off-highway vehicles away from dry grass or brush.
For more fire-related information on Colorado’s Western Slope please visit:
http://www.WestSlopeFireInfo.com/
Even an accidental fire start can result in the individual being held responsible including fines and/or jail time. Visit One Less Spark (
http://www.readyforwildfire.org/Prevent-Wildfire/ ) for more great tips on how to prevent wildfire and be prepared for fire season. To learn more about campfire safety visit
www.smokeybear.com.
Before heading outside, be sure to “Know Before You Go!” Helpful information about planning your trip can be found on the “Know Before You Go” webpage. Regulations vary between land management agencies, learn what is permitted before you use fire.
Adhere to the Leave No Trace Principles of outdoor ethics to leave your favorite spot ready for the next visitors to enjoy. Keep yourself safe while recreating outdoors by checking the weather before you go, taking the appropriate equipment including maps, carrying enough food and water, letting someone know where you are going and when you plan to be back, and utilizing suggested or required safety equipment.
For more information on regulations for DFPC please visit:
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dfpc
For more information on regulations for the BLM-Uncompahgre Field Office please visit:
https://www.blm.gov/office/uncompahgre-field-office
For more information on regulations for the BLM-Tres Rios Field Office please visit:
https://www.blm.gov/office/tres-rios-field-office
For more information on regulations for the NPS, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park please visit:
https://www.nps.gov/blca/index.htm
For more information on regulations for the Curecanti National Recreation Area please visit:
https://www.nps.gov/cure/index.htm
For more information on regulations for the GMUG please visit:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gmug/home/?cid=STELPRDB5420083
BLM - Southwest Colorado Fire and Aviation Management Unit
BLM Colorado Fire
Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control
Curecanti National Recreation Area
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park