The Bureau of Land Management’s Royal Gorge Field Office will enter into Stage 2 fire restrictions, May 19, due to dry conditions and high fire danger.

The fire restrictions apply to all BLM-administered public lands within the boundaries of Park, Teller, El Paso, Fremont, Custer, Pueblo, Otero, Bent, Huerfano, Las Animas, and Baca counties, until further notice.

Lake and Chaffee counties will remain in Stage 1 restrictions at this time. Northern Colorado fire cooperators will meet tomorrow to determine whether conditions warrant elevating to Stage 2 in that area.

“Wildfire ignitions in south-central Colorado are increasing, and the draw of resources to large fires in New Mexico is limiting availability of firefighters and equipment for fire suppression,” said Royal Gorge Field Manager Keith Berger. “Due to continued dry conditions and high fire danger, I am elevating fire restrictions on BLM lands in certain southern Colorado counties to Stage 2.”

Under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions the following acts are prohibited:

  • Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal barbecue, or grills are prohibited on federal lands. The use of portable stoves, lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are permitted.
  • Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
  • Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and working, a chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity by weight, and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches.
  • Using a welder, either arc or gas, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
  • Using exploding targets.

These fire restrictions are in addition to the year-round wildfire prevention restrictions on BLM-administered public lands in Colorado. These are:

  • Leaving a fire unattended or unextinguished.
  • Possession, discharge, or use of any fireworks.
  • Discharge of a firearm using incendiary or tracer ammunition.
  • Burn, ignite, or cause to burn any tire, wire, magnesium, or any other hazardous or explosive material.
  • Operate any off-road vehicle on public lands unless the vehicle is equipped with a properly installed spark arrester pursuant to 43 CFR 8343.1 (c).

For information about BLM Colorado Fire restrictions visit BLM Colorado Fire Restrictions. For general information about fire restrictions on all lands in Colorado, visit Colorado Emergency Management.