As you may have heard by now the  Pike & San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands have upgraded their fire restrictions going into the holiday weekend. The full text of the ban is below.

Have a great 4th of July weekend!

Thanks
FOMP

From the Pike NF Home Page
http://bit.ly/mOqvtF

Stage 2 Fire Restictions

Release Date: Jun 30, 2011

Contact(s): Barbara Timock

PUEBLO, Colo., June 29, 2011– As of today, Wednesday June 29, a Stage 2 fire restriction Order has been implemented by the Pike & San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands (PSICC) in response to the severe wildfire threat in southern Colorado.

The public is prohibited from building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal broiler, or a coal or wood-burning stove, among other fire use activities.

The decision to move to these tighter restrictions is due to the high potential for human-caused fires, extremely dry conditions, and numerous fire starts in the area.

“Reducing the threat for new wildfires is one of the biggest priorities we have right now,” said Ralph Bellah, Fire Prevention Officer for the Pike & San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands.
Affected areas include:  Pike National Forest, San Isabel National Forest, Comanche National Grassland, Jefferson, Douglas, Park, El Paso, Teller, Chaffee, Fremont, Huerfano, Saguache, Custer, Las Animas, Baca, Otero and Pueblo Counties in Colorado.
National Forest Service lands in Lake County are exempt from this Order.
Woodcutters should be especially careful in these dry conditions.  Make sure your chainsaw is equipped with an approved spark arrestor; be sure to have an 8 ounce fire extinguisher and a shovel when you are woodcutting.
The following acts are prohibited:

• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal broiler, or a coal or wood-burning stove.
• Exception:  Petroleum fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices providing such devices meet the fire underwriter’s specifications for safety are permitted.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material, or in areas posted by authorized Forest Officers.

• Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

• Using explosives requiring fuse blasting caps.

• Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine for felling, bucking, skidding, road building and woodcutting during industrial operations or fire wood gathering is prohibited from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Violation of these prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor, by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for a legal entity other than an individual, or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both. Title 16 USC, Section 551.