With minimal monsoon moisture received this year, Fire Managers on the San Juan National Forest are implementing Stage I Fire Restrictions (order) on all National Forest System lands within the San Juan National Forest, including wilderness beginning at 12:01am on August 20, 2020.
Fire restrictions are designed to protect people, property and the area’s natural resources, and are in response to the drought in Southwest Colorado and continuing hot dry weather forecasts.
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on the San Juan National Forest prohibit:
IGNITING, BUILDING, MAINTAINING, ATTENDING, OR USING A FIRE (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes) outside of a permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas)— except the use of a stove or grill solely fueled by liquid petroleum fuels, or a fully enclosed metal stove, grill, or sheep herder type stove with a chimney at least five feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of ¼ inch or less.
SMOKING. Except in 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 materials.
Operating a CHAINSAW without an effective and properly installed USDA- or Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)- approved spark arrestor, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of 2A) kept with the operator, and a round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use.
BLASTING, WELDING, OR OPERATING ACETYLENE OR OTHER TORCH WITH OPEN FLAME without being in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and keeping a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of 2A) with the operator.
Using an EXPLOSIVE. This includes but is not limited to fuses, blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, tracers, and incendiary ammunition.
Neighboring jurisdictions and agencies with wildland fire responsibility are also discussing entering fire restrictions as part of continued collaboration in community and resource protection. We work closely with our partners to support our shared interest in fire prevention and reducing the risk of human-caused wildfires across the landscape. Visit the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center fire restrictions page and know before you go.
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.
Fire Restrictions, by themselves, do not prevent wildfires. It is every forest visitor and camper’s responsibility to follow best practices, properly maintain and extinguish campfires to prevent wildfires. To report a fire call 9-1-1.
All offices on the San Juan National Forest are conducting business and providing visitor services virtually. For information on the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874, or visit the forest website.