CANON CITY, Colo., May 2, 2006… Beginning Monday, May 1 at 8 a.m., Stage 1 Fire Restrictions were placed on public lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Comanche National Grassland (PSIC) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) east of the Continental Divide in Colorado excluding the San Luis Valley. Restrictions for both agencies exclude Lake County and will remain in effect until rescinded.

Fire conditions this spring are comparable to those at this time of year in 2002, which was a very active fire season.” said Roy Masinton, Field Manager for the BLM’s Royal Gorge Field Office. Masinton continued to warn “...locally, fire danger is extreme and unless we see a change in the weather pattern soon, we will experience a high potential for large fires.”

STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS
The following acts are prohibited on USFS and BLM public lands managed by the Royal Gorge Field Office and PSIC until further notice:

1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, any type of charcoal fueled broiler or open fire of any type in undeveloped areas.
2. On BLM public lands possessing, discharging or using any type of fireworks or other pyrotechnic device to include sparklers. The use of fireworks is always prohibited on National Forests and Grasslands.
3. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, in a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

1. Fires in constructed, permanent fire pits or fire grates within developed recreation sites are permitted. On National Forests and Grasslands campfires are also permitted outside developed recreation sites only in Forest Service provided manfactured fire grates and grills.
2. Mechanical stoves or other appliances fueled by bottled or liquid gas and equipped with a valve which allows the operator to turn the flame on and off are permitted.

Even with the restrictions, visitors should be aware of weather conditions and be careful with the use of fire outdoors. Visitors should check with their local BLM or USFS office or go to the web to learn about specific restrictions.