Stage 1 restrictions will go into effect Friday across lower-elevation areas of the San Juan National Forest, primarily on the western side of the Dolores Ranger District, according to forest officials.
The first of three restricted levels mainly means banning campfires, charcoal grills or stove fires outside developed campgrounds, meaning visitors can no longer build fires in dispersed camping sites or rock rings in those affected areas.
A fire can occur in a metal or concrete firepit the Forest Service has installed at a designated campsite or picnic area. A device fueled by liquid or gas, which turns on and off, is also acceptable, said Forest Service spokesperson Lorena Williams.
“People have figured out that fire restrictions are a common occurrence in the summer and lots have purchased propane fire pits and those are wonderful,” Williams said, adding campers can still get the ambiance and heat but less fire danger.
The order limits smoking to acceptable areas and explicitly bans explosives, which are illegal.
Forest officials are seeing varied conditions across the forest. Fire danger is higher for areas at or below 8,000 feet due to vegetation rapidly drying out. While green up in high country is still occurring.
“Grass is a great example where it reaches that peak green up, you look up in the hills and fields and you see nice, lush-looking grass then two weeks later it's yellowed and wilted,” Williams said.
She said green grass typically resists fire spread, while cured – or dried and yellowed – grass carries fast-moving fire more easily.
“We still had some somewhat localized but effective rainstorms that reached the high country just as recently as Monday,” Williams said.
A Forest Service map shows which lower-elevation areas fall under Stage 1 fire restrictions and which higher-elevation remain exempt, including congressionally designated wilderness areas like Lizard Head and Hermosa Creek wildernesses.
Dolores Ranger District treated parts of the Salter-Carlyle areas north of Dolores in prescribed burns Wednesday because the area had a short window ideal for burning after Monday’s ¼-inch rain. The area total was 1,660 acres. The burn plan included 68 fire professionals, aerial and hand ignitions and officials continue to patrol and monitor the burn Thursday. Smoke may still remain visible for surrounding communities.
Violating the order poses a minimum fine in the state of Colorado for $530.
“We will have patrols out,” Williams said. “Folks should definitely be prepared if they decide to have an illegal campfire – that’s an expensive campfire.”
Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin said he will be requesting a fire ban for the incorporated parts of the county in front of the Montezuma County Commissioners at the meeting next Tuesday.
He said it will likely be effective June 1, if approved.
awatson@the-journal.com
