Fire Restrictions Announced in Western Colorado Counties

Western Colorado is doing what they can to prevent wildfires as dangerous conditions continue. Rio Blanco and Moffat County have both announced that Stage 1 fire restrictions went into effect on July 15th for their county. Rio Blanco County listed the following acts as prohibited: building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire except within agency-provided fire grates at developed recreation sites; Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is cleared of all flammable materials; Operating a chainsaw without an approved spark arrestor properly installed and working, a chemical fire extinguisher, and one round point shovel; Using a welder or other torch with open flame except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter with a fire extinguisher on hand; and finally, there is no using exploding targets. The only exemptions to this restriction order are for those with a written permit authorizing a prohibited act; those conducting a prohibited act in a designated area that has specifically been authorized by written posted notice; and any federal, state, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force performing an official duty.