After USFS fire restrictions, county and BLM restrictions likely to follow
County level fire restrictions will be coming sooner rather than later according to interim Fire Warden John Rutherford.
During the June 15 meeting of the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC), Rutherford informed the commissioners of fire restrictions he had been made aware of that morning including from the United States Forest Service (USFS) and from Moffat County and Routt County in Colorado.
Indeed, on the afternoon of June 15, Stage 1 fire restrictions were announced for the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grasslands. According to a press release from Aaron Voos, public affairs specialist, the restrictions were not taken lightly by the USFS.
“Restrictions are necessary due to dry fuel conditions, persistent fire weather patterns and the danger of human-caused wildfires from recreation usage across the Forests and Grassland,” read the press release. “Recent dry, windy and hot weather conditions have resulted in an elevated potential for wildfires. Fire restrictions will help protect public health and safety, as well as natural resources.”
Under USFS Stage 1 fire restrictions, campfires in the National Forests and National Grassland are only allowed in USFS approved and installed fire pits and grates or in gas-fueled devices with an on/off switch. Additionally, smoking is prohibited unless in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
Also prohibited in the National Forests and National Grassland under Stage 1 fire restrictions are the operation of chainsaws with a USDA or SAE approved spark arrestor properly installed and in effective working order, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A kept with the operator and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches available for use.
The use of explosives is also prohibited.
“I went ahead and took the liberty to reach out to BLM (Bureau of Land Management) to see what they were thinking and BLM at this point is not entertaining the idea. They’re pulling fuel samples to get fuel moistures currently, so they’ll have that data soon and we’ll compare the notes,” said Rutherford. “At this rate, close to 100 degree temperatures with the winds we’ve been having, it’s not going to be long that those fuel moistures will indicate the need for fire restrictions. I would anticipate that that’s not far down the road.”
Commissioner Byron Barkhurst said he would like to see fire restrictions be more proactive as it seemed to take some time between the restrictions being issued and people learning about them.
“If there’s ever a point where we feel like it’s coming, I would just submit the consideration to just do it then at that point and that will get us a week or two ahead because there’s a ton of people coming and they’re going to want to be camping,” said Barkhurst. “I don’t like it. I enjoy camping and it’s a tough thing.”
Rutherford said he agreed with Barkhurst. He said while BLM was still pulling fuel moisture samples, the USFS was seeing record setting fire weather indices.
“I don’t think that we’re going to be far behind them and, certainly, when BLM starts thinking that way it’s really nice to both go at the same time so we’re saying the same message,” Rutherford said. “From what I’m seeing of our long term forecasts, our weather patterns are not going to change. We’re in this for a while.”
Commissioner Travis Moore said he couldn’t foresee Carbon County getting into July before the fire warden had to issue fire restrictions. Rutherford agreed.
The next meeting of the Board of Carbon County Commissioners will be at 9 a.m. on July 6 at the Carbon County Courthouse in Rawlins.
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