08/15/2020
Please see news release below. Blue River is now under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions.
All fires are prohibited on private property, in forest areas and in campgrounds
Contact: Julie Sutor, Director of Communications
SUMMIT COUNTY – The Summit County Board of Commissioners enacted Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, effective Friday, Aug. 14. The commissioners enacted the change during a special meeting Thursday, in recognition of higher fire danger resulting from decreased precipitation and higher temperatures in recent weeks, as well as severe wildfire activity across the Western Slope.
The board’s decision has the support of local fire districts and the Dillon Ranger District of the White River National Forest, which will also enter Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Friday. Under Stage 2 Restrictions, fires are prohibited in picnic areas, campgrounds, private property and forested areas. The following activities and uses are also prohibited under Stage 2 Restrictions:
Use of charcoal grills
Fires in chimeneas or any other outdoor fireplace or manufactured recreational fire device, regardless of any permit previously issued by the local fire district
Use of explosives, tracer ammunition or explosive targets
Use or sale of fireworks
Pile burns, regardless of previously issued permits
Inflation or propulsion of a hot air balloon
Use of any engine without a properly functioning spark arresting device.
The following activities and uses are allowed under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions:
Use of gas grills and wood pellet grills
Any fire contained within a fireplace, stove, wood burning stove or pellet stove designed for and located within a fully enclosed permanent structure
Use of off-highway vehicles (OHVs); OHVs must remain on designated routes; if parked, OHVs must be in a barren area free of flammable vegetation, within 10 feet of the route or in a designated parking area.
Smoking; smoking must take place a minimum of 3 feet from natural vegetation or other flammable material; all smoking materials, including ci******es and matches, must be fully extinguished, cooled and disposed of in a designated receptacle.
Use of an open-flame torch device; the operator must have immediate access to a fire extinguisher and be at least 15 feet from natural vegetation or other flammable material.
Use of a chainsaw; the operator must have immediate access to a minimum 2A:10B:C dry chemical fire extinguisher.
“These restrictions are necessary given the extreme fire conditions and no relief from the weather in sight,” White River National Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams said. “We need to do all we can to prevent additional fire starts, and we really need the public to be extremely cognizant of the extreme fire danger.”
Summit County staff has enacted a full closure of the Summit County Shooting Range until further notice. Wildfires can be ignited by hot ammunition fragments. Exploding targets and tracer ammunition are prohibited in Summit County.
According to the National Weather Service, Summit County is projected to have below-normal precipitation and higher-than-normal temperatures over the next several weeks. The U.S. Drought Monitor reports that southern Summit County is "abnormally dry" and central and northern Summit County are experiencing "moderate drought" conditions.
Summit County’s towns, law-enforcement agencies and fire departments are united in reminding residents and visitors that campfires, backyard fires and fireworks are strictly prohibited throughout the county. Through an intergovernmental agreement, the towns of Blue River, Breckenridge, Dillon, Frisco and Silverthorne will enter Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in concert with the County.
All of Summit County’s law-enforcement agencies will be enforcing the longstanding prohibition on fireworks and the temporary Stage 2 restrictions on open fires prompted by the extreme wildfire danger in the high country.
For more information about current fire restrictions and wildfire prevention, visit www.SummitCountyCO.gov/wildfire.
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