By admin Published August 30, 2018

UPDATED  August 31, 2018 –

Effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, August 31, The Town of Carbondale*, Garfield County, Pitkin County, the White River National Forest and BLM lands managed by Colorado River Valley Field Office in Eagle, Garfield and Pitkin counties will reduce fire restrictions from Stage II to Stage I. Map of current local fire restrictions from the WRNF.

The Town of Marble and Gunnison County are still under Stage II Restrictions.

Stage I Fire Restrictions:

• Campfires: allowed within designated fire grates in developed campgrounds (i.e. a metal, in-ground containment structure — fire pans and rock campfire rings are not acceptable). 
• No fires of any type including charcoal outside of developed areas (Note: backyard charcoal grills are permissible under Stage I restrictions). *The Town of Carbondale allows for fire pits with screens to prevent sparks dispersing, charcoal and gas grills and smokers
• No smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or in a barren area free of vegetation
• No use of explosive materials, including explosive targets or tracer rounds/exploding bullets etc.

• No welding or operation of acetylene or other similar torch with open flame or any spark emitting operation, (cutting, grinding etc.) except in an area that has been cleared of vegetation

• No operation of any internal combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed and in working order

There have been no change in fire restrictions in the Town of Marble or Gunnison County (still in Stage II).

Fire managers base decisions about fire restrictions on specific moisture measurements in vegetation and other risk factors such as predicted weather and the amount of current fire activity.