Fire ban enacted in parts of Colorado

Aspen Daily News Staff Report
Fire restrictions are in place in parts of western Colorado.

Bureau of Land Management officials said Wednesday that no open burning will be allowed on the agency’s land in Mesa, Eagle, and Garfield counties, and parts of Pitkin and southern Routt counties. Campfires are allowed only in designated fire grates in campgrounds.

Mesa County has adopted the same restrictions on private land within its borders.

Eagle and Garfield counties have imposed a fire ban within all of their borders. Pitkin County has not imposed a ban, but Sheriff Bob Braudis is asking residents to be careful and respect the environment.

Fire restrictions are not in place on the Grand Mesa, or in the Uncompaghre or White River national forests. However, the BLM cautioned that the fire danger below 8,000 feet has been increasing due to hot weather and dying vegetation.

Violators of fire bans can face imprisonment and fines up to $100,000 and can be forced to pay firefighting costs.