Kremmling Field Office to enter stage 1 fire restrictions in Grand and Larimer Counties

Kremmling, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Kremmling Field Office will implement stage 1 fire restrictions effective on Aug. 21 at 12:01 a.m. on BLM lands in Larimer and Grand Counties.

“We work with our agency partners and evaluate conditions, including the moisture content of vegetation, predicted weather, and evaluating other risk factors to make a fire restrictions decision," said Kremmling Field Office Manager Stephen Leonard.  “Due to moderating conditions, we are changing from stage 2 to stage 1 fire restrictions.”

Officers will enforce the following restrictions on all BLM public lands in Larimer and Grand Counties until further notice.

Under stage 1 restrictions, unless permitted in writing by the authorized officer, it is prohibited to perform any act restricted by this Fire Prevention Order which includes:

1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, any type of charcoal fueled broiler or open fire of any type in undeveloped areas.

2. Possessing, discharging, or using any type of fireworks or other pyrotechnic device to include sparklers. This order does not differentiate between lawful use or careless/negligent use of fireworks but prohibits all fireworks activity and use on public lands as identified above.

3. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, in a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable vegetation.

4. Using explosive material: (i.e., fireworks, blasting caps or any incendiary device which may result in the ignition of flammable material.)

5. Welding or operating an acetylene or other similar torch with open flame.

6. Operating or using any internal combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained, in effective working order, and meeting either:

a. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100-1a; or

b. Appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practice J335 (b) and J350 (a).

Actions Permitted:

1. Fires in constructed, permanently installed fire pits or fire grates within developed recreation sites. Does not include constructed rock fire rings.

2. Mechanical stoves and appliances fueled by bottled or liquid gas which allow the operator to control or extinguish the flame with a valve are permitted provided that such devices are approved by Underwriters Laboratory Inc.

Any person who knowingly and willfully violates the regulations of Title 43 CFR § 9212.1 shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not more than $100,000 or to imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both. Restitution for total suppression or damage costs incurred will be borne by the trespasser.

For current fire restrictions, maps and more information visit https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/colorado/northwest-district