lferrell@alamosanews.com 

ALAMOSA — Due to continuing hot and dry weather, most counties throughout the San Luis Valley have issued Stage 1 fire restrictions. Fire restrictions have also been issued for both the San Juan National Forest and Rio Grande National Forest until further notice. 

The Bureau of Land Management San Luis Valley Field Office implemented restrictions beginning June 9 for all BLM-administered public lands across six counties: Alamosa, Conejos, Saguache, Rio Grande, Mineral and Costilla. Shortly after, on June 12, the U.S. Forest Service enacted identical forestwide Stage 1 restrictions throughout the entire San Juan National Forest. 

The measures aim to prevent human-caused wildfires during peak danger periods. 

Under the Stage 1 restrictions outlined in BLM Fire Prevention Order COF03-26-01, building, maintaining or using a campfire is strictly prohibited. Exceptions are made only for fires contained within agency-provided, permanent metal or concrete fire pits or grates located at developed recreation sites. The use of devices fueled by gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel remains permitted. 

Additional prohibited activities across these federal lands include: 

• Smoking: Restricted exclusively to enclosed vehicles,trailers or buildings, or within designated recreation sites and cleared areas barren of flammable material. 
•  Chainsaw operation: Prohibited unless the equipment features a USDA- or SAE-approved spark arrester alongside an active chemical fire extinguisher and a round-point shovel.
•  Welding and torches: Operating acetylene or other open-flame torches is banned except within cleared areas at least 10 feet in diameter and equipped with a pressurized extinguisher.
•  Exploding targets: Fully prohibited under the safety order.

These temporary emergency constraints build upon year-round Colorado wildfire prevention regulations, which permanently ban leaving fires unattended, discharging  

fireworks and utilizing tracer or incendiary ammunition on public lands. 

Authorized officials noted that emergency personnel, designated fire crews and individuals possessing explicit written agency permits are exempt from the order. 

The restrictions carry stiff penalties for violators. On U.S. Forest Service lands, campfire restriction violations can yield a minimum fine of $530. Meanwhile, violations of the BLM Fire Prevention Order can escalate to a maximum fine of $100,000, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both, with offenders held financially responsible for the total cost of fire suppression and damages. 

The restrictions will remain in place until regional fire hazards subside.