Colorado: ‘Extreme’ fire danger prompts White River NF to ban all fires, including in campgrounds

Forest Service enacts rare Stage 2 fire restrictions to minimize risk of human-caused fires; gets funds for outreach, signage and preparedness

Smoke plumes from the 13,000-acre Little Sand Fire tower above the mountains near Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

Fire danger across the WRNF is extreme.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Facing some of the most dangerous fire conditions on record, White River National Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams decided Tuesday to enact Stage 2 fire restrictions, effective 12 a.m. June 22,  basically banning any sort of open fire, even in developed campgrounds.

A full explanation of fire restrictions is online here, and visit Firewise.org to learn how to protect your property and prepare for wildfires.

The restrictions could stay in effect through the summer unless there is a significant change in the weather pattern, perhaps two solid weeks of steady afternoon thunderstorms and moisture.

A comprehensive listing of fire restrictions and other fire related emergency information is online at http://www.coemergency.com/. Information on current wildfires in Colorado and around the country is online at http://www.inciweb.org/.

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