By Shannon Lukens.
Routt County is under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, because of the forecast, the heat, drought indicators, and more. Grand County did the same yesterday. Stage 1 for Jackson County goes into effect tomorrow. Campfires are allowed only in a designated camping area.
Details from Routt County
- Building, maintaining, attending or using any fire to burn trash, debris, fence rows, irrigation ditches or vegetation, any campfire, warming fire, charcoal grill, except in designated campgrounds, picnic areas or developed recreational sites.
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreational site, or while stopped in an area of at least (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
- Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arresting device (muffler) properly installed and in effective working order, and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of not less than eight (8) ounce capacity by weight, and one (1) round pointed shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches. The extinguisher will be with the chainsaw operator. The shovel may be kept with the fueling supplies but readily available for quick use.
- Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame; except within an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable material at least 10 feet on all sides from the equipment.
- Using explosives requiring fuses or blasting caps.
Exemptions from Stage 1 Restriction:
- Persons with a valid written permit which specifically authorizes the prohibited act: (a) from the fire protection district chief if subject land is within a fire protection district; (b) or Routt County Emergency Operations Director after consultation with the Routt County Sheriff if subject land is not within a fire protection district.
- Any federal, state or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an actual duty.
- Any fires contained within stoves, fireplaces within buildings, charcoal grill fires, recreational fires at private residences with valid permit from district chief, and permanent fire pits or fire grates in developed picnic grounds and campgrounds.
- Burning of irrigation ditches located within and completely surrounded by irrigated farm lands where such burning is necessary for crop survival with proper permit from: (a) fire protection district chief if subject land is within a fire protection district; (b) or Routt County Emergency Operations Director after consultation with the Routt County Sheriff if subject land is not within a fire protection district.
- Hot air balloon activities and the use of UL approved liquid-fueled or gas fueled “Camp Fire in a Can.”
- Campfires or bonfires required in religious ceremonies where a specific written permit has been granted in advance by: (a) the fire protection district chief if subject land is within a fire protection district; or (b) the Routt County Emergency Operations Director after consultation with the Routt County Sheriff if subject land is not within a fire protection district.
The U.S. Forest Service has announced that all of the Medicine Bow – Routt National Forests, and Thunder Basin National Grasslands are going into Stage 1 Fire Restrictions at 12:01 a.m. tonight. This includes National Forest System lands located in Garfield, Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties in northwest Colorado. Here is the press release:
Entirety of Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland to enter Stage 1 fire restrictions
Campfires are only allowed in USDA Forest Service approved and installed fire pits/grates, or gas-fueled devices with an on/off switch.
(LARAMIE, Wyo.) September 7, 2022 – Stage 1 fire restrictions will go into effect Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, for all the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland (MBRTB).
This includes National Forest System lands located in Garfield, Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties in northwest Colorado; Albany, Campbell, Carbon, Converse, Crook, Natrona, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston counties in Wyoming.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service has communicated with all affected counties, state agencies, and neighboring federal land managers on the timing of the restrictions.
Going into restrictions is not taken lightly by the Forest Service. Restrictions are necessary due to dry fuel conditions, persistent fire weather patterns, and the danger of human-caused wildfires. Recent dry 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.
The following prohibitions are in effect until further notice:
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire. This includes barbecues, grills, and portable braziers.
- Except: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire in constructed, permanent fire pits or fire grates within developed USDA Forest Service recreation sites. Additionally, the use of portable stoves or lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum, pressurized liquid fuel or a fully enclosed (sheepherder type) stove with a ¼” spark arrester type screen is permitted.
- Smoking
- Except: Within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
- Operating a chainsaw
- Except: With a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester 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 readily available for use.
- Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame
- Except: In cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter and in possession of a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of at least 2A.
- Using an explosive
Personal, portable wood or charcoal burning fire pits/rings, often made of stainless steel, are not allowed under these restrictions. Campfires are only allowed in USDA approved and installed fire pits/grates, or gas-fueled devices with an on/off switch.
Violation of these regulations is punishable as a class B misdemeanor, by a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment of up to six months, or both. Anyone negligently or willfully starting a wildland fire could also be held responsible for the costs of that fire.
The Laramie Peak portion of the Medicine Bow National Forest and the Thunder Basin National Grassland have been in Stage 1 fire restrictions since July 26 of this year.
Not uncommon in recent years, the MBRTB has now been in Stage 1 restrictions at some point in four of the last five years.
Fall hunting seasons are underway, and hunters are reminded that all restrictions apply to all visitors. Even seemingly insignificant, small warming fires can be the cause of wildfires.
Forest staff will continue to monitor conditions to assess the need for further action, including additional restrictions if weather remains hot and dry and lessening restrictions if a wetter and cooler weather pattern develops.
Call or visit your local office for site-specific information.
- Brush Creek-Hayden Ranger District, Saratoga, Wyo., (307) 326-5258
- Douglas Ranger District, Douglas, Wyo., (307) 358-4690
- Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District, Steamboat Springs, Colo., (970) 870-2299
- Forest Supervisor’s Office & Laramie Ranger District, Laramie, Wyo., (307) 745-2300
- Parks Ranger District, Walden, Colo., (970) 723-2700
- Yampa Ranger District, Yampa, Colo., (970) 638-4516
To report a wildland fire, please call the interagency dispatch centers below:
- Routt National Forest:
- Craig Dispatch Center, (970) 826-5037
- Medicine Bow National Forest, Thunder Basin National Grassland:
- Casper Dispatch, (800) 295-9952
The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission is meeting in Craig today and Friday, Sept. 8-9. It is an in-person meeting at Quality Inn & Suites in Craig, and will also be held virtually.
The Post Office in Steamboat Springs doesn’t have a janitor and staff can’t keep up with all of the trash that is left there.
“We get it when we can.”
That’s Fernando Castro, the new Officer in Charge at the Steamboat Springs Post Office. He says the big problem is when people get their mail in the post office boxes.
“They take what they want and they leave the boxes and everything else behind. We have to deal with it. Oh boy! And it’s quite a bit of cardboard boxes and magazines.”
We also saw mail and credit card applications with people’s names and addresses on it, left behind for the post office staff. Castro says all trash cans have been removed except for one. He asks that you please take all of your mail home from the post office and sort through it there. There’s a big pink sign up that says that, adding, “We are a mail service, not a garbage service.” And they are trying to hire a janitor.
Tonight is a “Conversation with your Congresswoman.” That is Lauren Boebert who plans to provide an update for Colorado’s Third District. It starts at 7:15 p.m. and you have to sign up in advance to participate. The livestream is through her website. Boebert is the current U.S. Congresswoman for northwestern Colorado. Due to redistricting, Routt County will no longer be in the 3rd Congressional District as of November. Moffat and Rio Blanco counties will. Boebert is up for re-election. Her Democratic opponent is Adam Frisch from Aspen. Link to sign up to join or watch the livestream.
The 35th annual Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials continue today through Sunday. Information is at MeekerSheepDog.com
The 9/11 Never Forget Project returns to the lawn of Yampa Valley Bank in Steamboat Friday. Steamboat Springs High School sophomore Alley Kvols is organizing the project again this year.
Local law enforcement, firefighters, students, and volunteers will all be placing the flags in remembrance of those who died on 9/11, starting at 4 p.m. Friday. Meet at Yampa Valley Bank if you’d like to help.
In some early football games tomorrow…
- Soroco takes their 1-1 record up against Dolores. That game is at 2 p.m. Friday afternoon in Oak Creek. It’s the early afternoon game because of schedule of referees.
- Another early game is for the Steamboat Sailors. They’re away in Granby, playing Middle Park and that game is at 4 p.m. Friday afternoon. Brian Harvey will be there to make the call on KTYV 105.7 Sports on FM. You can also listen and watch through SteamboatRadio.com
- Hayden and Moffat County play Saturday.
For the KRAI Time, Temp, and Weather Hotline, call 970-824-1918.