Campfires banned in national forest, BLM land; Stage 2 restrictions enacted
Friday, June 14, 2002
Steamboat Springs — As of yesterday, no campfires are allowed in the Routt National Forest or Bureau of Land Management land, not even in designated areas. The decision to announce "Stage 2" fire restrictions came down after a meeting between Forest Service and BLM officials yesterday morning.
"The conditions are just too dry," Forest Service spokeswoman Diann Pipher said. "There is no rain and there is wind.
"We need to make sure that we don't have any human-caused fires."
The fire ban extends to charcoal grills and open fires of any type. The new restrictions also limit smoking to enclosed vehicles and buildings. The ban on fireworks is still in effect.
"The good thing about this is that now all public lands in Colorado have the same restrictions," Pipher said.
Campers are still allowed to use petroleum-fueled stoves.
Anyone found in violation will receive a fine of up to $5,000 and six months in jail.
"If someone causes a wildland fire, they will be held accountable for the costs of that fire," Pipher said. "Firefighting is very expensive."
Anyone with questions about the fire ban can call the Forest Service office in Steamboat Springs at 879-1870 or visit its Web site at www.fs.fed.us/r2/mbr.
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