Fire restrictions will begin Friday in much of the Four Corners, including on San Juan National Forest lands south of U.S. Highway 160.
Local governments and the Forest Service implemented the restrictions because recent hot temperatures have dried vegetation, especially at lower elevations, and provoked several wildfires in June.
On the recommendation of the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office and local fire protection districts, La Plata County commissioners this week adopted Stage 1 fire restrictions, which will apply to private lands in unincorporated areas of the county and state land within the county.
The restrictions will be in place until Sheriff’s Office, fire district and emergency management officials determine the threat of fires has been reduced.
Campfires, coal and wood-burning stoves, and charcoal grills and open fires in undeveloped areas are off limits under the restrictions. However, charcoal fires within designated containers or gas grills at private residences are allowed.
Although the regional forecast is for cooler and wetter weather through Saturday, the vegetation in some areas dried out during two weeks of record-setting temperatures. And, the thunderstorms are expected to bring plenty of lightning.
“Local agencies participate in a scientific process that looks at vegetation types and moisture content from lower elevations to higher elevations,” said Butch Knowlton, La Plata County emergency management director. “Using this scientific evaluation process, each elevation has different wildland fire potential and different restriction needs.”
The area south of U.S. Highway 160 sits at a lower elevation than other parts of the county, which means that area has a higher fire risk. A stricter set of rules may be enacted if fire potential increases.
Those who break the rules will pay. Each violation of the restrictions is considered a class 2 petty offense, punishable by a $300 fine.
The Southern Ute Indian Tribe has adopted such standards for its tribal lands, also to take effect Friday.
The San Juan National Forest issued on order for its Stage 1 restrictions that also begin Friday on its lands south of Highway 160 and west of U.S. Highway 84 at Pagosa Springs, in Archuleta County.
The federal fines for violators are a bit steeper – up to $5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for an organization.
The Forest Service does not include Bureau of Land Management lands, according to a news release.
Fire restrictions also are in place in Montezuma and Archuleta counties.
This article was updated to clarify the San Juan National Forest land impacted by the restrictions are in Archuleta County.
