Multiple area jurisdictions have increased their fire restrictions in response to fuels and weather conditions, including area federal lands.
The U.S. Forest Service’s San Juan National Forest implemented forest-wide Stage 2 restrictions effective July 1, while the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) Southwest District followed suit effective July 2.
“Southwest Colorado is in extended drought with continued hot, dry weather creating a critical fire environment,” states a Forest Service press release.
“Conditions have continued to deteriorate with dry fuels and higher winds. In addition, fire activity has picked up in the area, making increased restrictions a practical next step,” said Tres Rios Field Office Manager Derek Padilla.
Locally, fire personnel recently responded to numerous fires related to lightning.
As of press time Wednesday, Archuleta County and the Town of Pagosa Springs remain under Stage 1 restrictions.
The majority of the state’s counties are reporting fire restrictions, as are federal and municipal jurisdictions. Recreationists are encouraged to check local restrictions when planning activities.
To report a fire, call 911.
San Juan National Forest
On June 30, the Forest Service announced that, based on recent wildfire activity and persistent severe fire weather conditions, San Juan National Forest staff would be implementing Stage 2 fire restrictions forest-wide at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1.
A press release announcing the increased restrictions explains that fire managers use several criteria to determine when to implement restrictions, including current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels and available firefighting resources.
Fire restrictions are designed to protect public safety and our areas natural resources, it notes.
Stage 2 restrictions on the San Juan National Forest prohibit:
• Igniting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal barbecue or grill, except if using a device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.
• Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building.
• Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.
• Using an explosive.
Visitors may use stoves, grills and lanterns fueled by propane or other liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels that meet manufacturer’s safety specifications.
If you plan to visit the forest, be sure to practice vehicle safety guidelines by securing chains, checking tire pressure and properly maintaining your brakes.
Temporary restrictions will remain in place until further notice and may be increased or reduced at any time due to changes in weather and fire danger.
To learn more about fire restrictions, fuels management, and other wildfire related issues on the San Juan National Forest, visit our fire information webpage, www.fs.usda.gov/r02/sanjuan/fire/info.
Fire restrictions do not
prevent wildfire
It is every forest visitor’s and camper’s responsibility to prevent wildfires.
Violations are punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations and/or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.
Fire prevention and law enforcement will be patrolling, and anyone who violates Stage 2 restrictions will be ticketed.
For information on the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874 or visit the forest website.
BLM
On July 1, the BLM announced, “Fire restrictions are on the rise throughout the Bureau of Land Management Colorado’s entire Southwest District.”
Effective July 2, and until further notice, Stage 2 fire restrictions are in effect on all BLM-administered public lands within the Tres Rios, Uncompahgre and Gunnison Field Offices.
In addition to year-round wildfire prevention rules and Stage 1 restrictions, the following activities are now prohibited:
• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire, or the use of charcoal barbecues and grills. However, devices using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are exempted.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer or building.
• Operating a chain saw without a USDA- or SAE-approved spark arrester properly installed and working, a chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity by weight, and one round-point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches.
• Using a welder, either arc or gas, or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame.
• Using exploding targets.
Full closure orders are available at https://bit.ly/4vEtCpf.
Power outages
The area also recently saw outages due to the critical fire weather, including Pagosa Springs on Saturday, June 27.
According to La Plata Electric Association (LPEA), on Saturday, June 27, at 3:33 p.m., an outage occurred south of Pagosa Springs off U.S. 84, with 1,448 meters losing power.
“Crews were dispatched immediately to investigate the cause and patrol lines before safely restoring power,” a summary from LPEA states.
It notes crews found a downed tree on the line, and while clearing the tree, making repairs and patrolling the rest of the power lines, another outage occurred in the area around 5:30 p.m., bringing the total affected meters up to 7,817.
“Because of increased fire risk at the time,” the summary states, “the system was on sensitive settings, and crews quickly confirmed that this larger, second outage occurred as a result of high winds and power lines slapping together.”
LPEA notes that, by 7:45 p.m., power was restored to all but 1,722 meters, with crews working through the night to clear the tree from the downed line, make repairs and confirm the safety or the rest of the line.
It notes power was restored to all meters by 10:10 a.m. on Sunday.
“We know the increased number of long outages has been challenging and frustrating, and we sincerely appreciate your patience and your support of our crews who have had to work into and through the night to restore power as safely as possible in the recent, high-fire-risk conditions,” LPEA states. “We are glad to see our system is working properly, and that we have been able to avoid starting a wildfire as a result of trees coming in contact with the lines.”
In a Facebook update on the outage, LPEA further discusses the cause of the outage, explaining, “This outage was caused by the high winds .... Because of the high winds, low humidity, dry vegetation, and existing fires in the area, our system was set to de-energize lines immediately if anything made contact with the power lines, including the lines slapping together. When these conditions exist, a single spark can escalate into a catastrophic wildfire in minutes. That automatic detection is what prevents that.
“We know it’s a hard trade-off. But protecting this community from a devastating wildfire is something we take seriously. Thank you for being patient with us, and thank you to our crews who were out there through the night getting the lights back on.”
randi@pagosasun.com
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