Steamboat Pilot & Today

A firefighter blasts water into a burning hay stack Thursday night near Stagecoach Reservoir. Photo by Joel Reichenberger

North Routt Fire Protection District Chief Bob Reilley visits with about 125 residents during a wildfire preparedness meeting Thursday night at the North Routt Community Charter School. Photo by Matt Stensland

The U.S. Forest Service has banned all fires in the Routt National Forest, even fires in approved fire pits such as this one at the Seedhouse Campground in North Routt County. Photo by Matt Stensland

Runners head down River Road alongside a surging Yampa River during the 2011 Mountain Madness half-marathon and 10-kilometer race in Steamboat Springs. The scenery will be a bit different Sunday, when the race returns. The river is but a trickle, but a large field again is expected. Photo by Joel Reichenberger

Thursday evening sunset from Boulder Ridge Road. Submitted by: Sam Daniels

Thursday evening sunset with a layer of smoke from Boulder Ridge Road. Submitted by: Sam Daniels

Backlit sun, fun. Submitted by: Matthew Grasse

Happy hour at Steamboat Ski Area. Submitted by: Matthew Grasse

Submitted by: Matthew Grasse

Sam and Tessa Clyncke, along Routt County Road 7, doing a bit of fundraising for the Crossan's M&A Market restoration in Yampa. Submitted by: Jeff Oden

Sam and Tessa Clyncke, along Routt County Road 7, doing a bit of fundraising for the Crossan's M&A Market restoration in Yampa. Submitted by: Jeff Oden

Sam and Tessa Clyncke, along Routt County Road 7, doing a bit of fundraising for the Crossan's M&A Market restoration in Yampa. Submitted by: Jeff Oden

Sam and Tessa Clyncke, along Routt County Road 7, doing a bit of fundraising for the Crossan's M&A Market restoration in Yampa. Submitted by: Jeff Oden

Sam and Tessa Clyncke, along Routt County Road 7, doing a bit of fundraising for the Crossan's M&A Market restoration in Yampa. Submitted by: Jeff Oden

Sam and Tessa Clyncke, along Routt County Road 7, doing a bit of fundraising for the Crossan's M&A Market restoration in Yampa. Submitted by: Jeff Oden

Sam and Tessa Clyncke, along Routt County Road 7, doing a bit of fundraising for the Crossan's M&A Market restoration in Yampa. Submitted by: Jeff Oden

Ride up the mountain. Submitted by: Matthew Grasse

United Methodist Church youth mission team in Guatemala. Submitted by: Linda Sobeck

Clouds over the boat on Sunday morning. Submitted by: Vince Arroyo

There were plenty of smiles in the Kiddie Pool at the Old Town Hot Springs on Thursday. Submitted by: Shannon Lukens

Thusday morning sunrise. Submitted by: Maryedith Davies

Mad Creek loop. Submitted by: Marie-Beth Cheezem and Brian Fisher

Brian Fisher and Marie-Beth Cheezem hike up Mad Creek in the morning. Submitted by: Marie-Beth Cheezem and Brian Fisher

Brian Fisher and Marie-Beth Cheezem hike up Mad Creek in the morning. Submitted by: Marie-Beth Cheezem and Brian Fisher

Motorcycle ride along Twentymile Road. Submitted by: Marie-Beth Cheezem and Brian Fisher

Motorcycle ride along Twentymile Road. Submitted by: Marie-Beth Cheezem and Brian Fisher

A sign at the Hinman Campground alerts campers to the fire restrictions. Photo by Matt Stensland

Local officials are urging members of the agricultural community to make plans to take care of one another and their livestock in the event of wildfires this summer. Photo by John F. Russell

Local officials are urging members of the agricultural community to make plans to take care of one another and their livestock in the event of wildfires this summer. Photo by John F. Russell

Old Californio brings a psychedelic, indie-rock sound to Old Town Pub from its home in Pasadena, Calif. The free show starts at 9:30 p.m. Friday. Courtesy photo

Dark Star Orchestra, a Grateful Dead tribute band, will open the Free Summer Concert Series at 6 p.m. Saturday at Steamboat Ski Area. Courtesy photo

Dusty Atkinson, left, uses an eight-ton jack to split rock geodes and reveal their crystalline beauty for customers from Kentucky iduring Art on the Mountain in 2010. The 11th annual Art on the Mountain kicks off Friday at 10 a.m. and continues through Sunday in Gondola Square. Photo by Tom Ross