Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are now in effect in Northern Hinsdale County and Rio Grande Areas. As part of the Stage 1 Restrictions, using a fire is prohibited except within permanent fire pits or grates on private property or developed recreation sites. Use of explosive materials is prohibited as well as smoking outdoors.
Specifically, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions prohibit:
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal barbecues/grills or stove fires; EXCEPTION: Fires in permanent fire pits or fire grates within developed recreation sites (campgrounds/picnic areas) or on private property, and liquid filled gas stoves.
- Using explosive materials, including but not limited to, fireworks;
- Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle, trailer, building or tent, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material;
- Welding
- Operating a chainsaw without an approved spark arrester
- Use of tracer ammunition
Activities permitted under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:
- Cooking on manufactured liquid fuel and propane grills;
- Campfires in pre-fabricated concrete/metal fire enclosures in established campgrounds (USFS, NPS, privately owned), unless otherwise prohibited by order of the United States Forest Service on lands under its jurisdiction;
- Fires in chiminea type manufactured enclosures on private property
The Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are now in effect in Upper Piedra areas.
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions :
- All Stage 1 restrictions still apply
- No Campfires
- No Fireworks
- No Welding or operating machinery with open flame
- Spark Arrestors mandatory for chainsaws.
- No outdoor smoking.