Starting Friday, August 8th, at 6:00 a.m., Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will take effect for unincorporated Chaffee County as well as the municipalities of Buena Vista and Poncha Springs.
These restrictions do not apply to U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management lands, and the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office will not enforce them on those lands at this time. However, if you live within the city limits of Buena Vista, Poncha Springs, or on private property in the county, the restrictions will be enforced.
Sheriff Andy Rohrich explained that, while local fire conditions are not as severe as in neighboring counties, high fire danger combined with strained state and local firefighting resources prompted the decision. The restrictions will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
Residents are asked to report violations to the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center at 719-539-2596. Deputies will be monitoring compliance, and violations can carry serious penalties.
Sheriff Rohrich urges: “Please help us spread the word so our beautiful county stays safe.”
