GRAND JUNCTION — Dry conditions and high temperatures have prompted the Bureau of Land Management and Mesa County officials to administer a stage 1 fire restriction.
The fire restrictions went into action on Saturday at 12:01 a.m., and effects lands administered by the BLM Grand Junction Field Office and areas of Mesa County.
|
Advertisement |
“Generally Montrose does not face fire restrictions as early, if at all, because they don’t suffer from low moisture quite as fast,” BLM spokeswoman Melodie Lloyd said.
However, those planning to travel north need to be aware of what the restrictions mean in regards to camping and recreating.
A fire restriction means that building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire in an undesignated area is illegal. However, fires built within provided fire grates are permitted.
“A common mistake is calling this a fire ban,” Lloyd said. “But it’s not a ban, there’s just certain restrictions that need to be followed.”
The fire restriction also prohibits smoking on public lands, unless done so in an enclosed vehicle or building, or in a developed recreation site.
Those planning a Fourth of July gathering complete with fireworks also need to fully understand the restrictions that have been set in place. The use of explosive materials is banned until fire restrictions are lifted completely.
There are three stages of burn restrictions, Lloyd said. When a stage 1 is in effect, as it currently is, certain restrictions exist. If the restrictions are increased to a stage 2, a fire ban will be actively placed. If low moisture levels continue to worsen, stage 3 could be reached, which means access to public lands will be closed.
Severe consequences for not adhering to the restrictions include fines amounting up to $100,000, and imprisonment for up to 12 months. If a person is found responsible for damage to homes by a fire they caused, they will be responsible for the costs on top of the fines.
“It’s definitely to everyone’s benefit that they heed these restrictions to help protect from future fires,” Lloyd said.
Anyone with further questions can visit www.sheriff.mesacounty.us. or call (970)244-3500.
Information regarding BLM fire restrictions should be directed to (970) 244-3000.
• Be respectful of others, the writer and the subjects in the story.
• Be relevant. Keep your comments on point.
• See the guidelines for TalkAbout. Perhaps your comment is best for that community forum, available from the home page, instead of commenting on a particular story.
Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All readers comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. Montrose Press is not liable for messages from third parties.
DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.
Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in montrosepress.com's reader comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of the Montrose Press. Montrose Press does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized Montrose Press spokespersons.
Thank you for your comments!