Letter: White River NF supervisor explains fire ban

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

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*Read: Colorado Western Slope firefighting resources stretched

Fire Restrictions and the Recreation Experience

By Scott Fitzwilliams

The wildland fire situation is serious with several large fires burning across Colorado.  Contributing factors for this include: low snowfall winter and a dryer that normal spring; an early fire season; and fire severity indicators that surpass the conditions we experienced in 2002, the year of the Coal Seam and Haymen Fires.

For example, moisture levels in forest fuels types are very low and both relative humidity (moisture in the air) and soil moisture are extremely low.  Fire severity indicators are at historic highs. The long term forecast shows continued hot and dry weather.  Because of the mountain pine beetle epidemic [and other factors, including decades of complete fire suppression], many areas of the forest have heavy fuel loads. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, forest fires, pine beetles, US Forest Service, White River National Forest | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

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

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

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/.

(more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Drought, forest fires | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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