BLM Modifies Fire Restrictions In Some Counties

The Bureau of Land Management has modified fire restrictions in several southern Colorado Counties.

The Bureau of Land Management Royal Gorge Field Office reduced fire restrictions from Stage 2 to Stage 1 on BLM lands within Custer, Fremont, Huerfano, Las Animas, Pueblo and Teller counties on Friday.

National Forest Lands on the San Carlos Ranger District remain under Stage 2 restrictions, said the BLM. National Forest Lands on the Salida Ranger District within Fremont County also remain under Stage 2 restrictions, according to the BLM.

The Bureau of Land Management provided the following information regarding fire restrictions:

BLM Stage 1 Restrictions include: ? Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, any type of charcoal fueled broiler or open fire of any type in undeveloped areas. ? Possessing, discharging or using any type of fireworks or other pyrotechnic device to include sparklers. This order does not differentiate between lawful use or careless/negligent use of fireworks, but prohibits all fireworks activity and use on public lands as identified above. ? Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, in a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

What?s allowed: ? Fires in manufactured, permanent fire grates or grills within developed recreation sites are permitted. ? Cooking stoves and other appliances fueled by liquid petroleum or bottled fuel that are equipped with a valve which allows the operator to turn the flame on and off are permitted.

For more information contact the Royal Gorge Field Office at 719-269-8500.