Restrictions make Fourth of July campfires a no-go

In dry conditions, “we’re just not taking a chance”

A Fourth of July spent swapping stories and s’mores around a roaring campfire is off the table for many revelers planning their festivities in Colorado’s fire-stricken national forest land.

The state’s national forests have enacted strict fire restrictions heading into the holiday as about a dozen wildfires blaze trails across the state.

The White River National Forest, covering more than 2 million acres in popular destinations like Vail, Aspen and Dillon, is on Stage II fire restrictions. That means all outside fires including ones in established campgrounds are prohibited. Smoking is not allowed except within an enclosed vehicle or building and fireworks of any kind are banned.

“We’re trying to keep the White River free of wildfires this Fourth of July,” said Kate Jerman, spokeswoman for the White River National Forest.

While campers are still able to use stoves, Jerman stressed that officials are asking forest guests to exercise extreme caution.

“So far, we’ve seen that, generally, the restrictions are working,” Jerman said.

Patrols last week indicated that about a dozen or so campers were still defying the fire restrictions with campfires, but Jerman said the White River National Forest has seen fewer human-caused fires this year than the same time last year.

The largest wildfire in the state now is burning more than 78,000 acres through Costilla and Huerfano counties, the Spring Fire, was a humancaused fire in which suspect Jesper Joergensen faces arson charges, according to the Costilla County Sheriff’s Office.

“There is risk out there,” Jerman said. “We are so dry right now. “We’re just not taking a chance.”

Other national forest land that’s implemented strict Stage II fire restrictions include: Uncompahgre and Gunnison national forests; the Leadville, Pikes Peak, South Park, and South Platte ranger districts of the Pike and San Isabel national forests; and the San Juan National Forest, which was closed to all visitors earlier this year by the nearby 416 fire.

Other national forest land in the state has declared Stage I fire restrictions, including: the Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests and Pawnee National Grassland, which include places such as Boulder, Clear Creek, Grand, Jefferson, Larimer and Park counties; and the Rio Grande National Forest in the southwest.

Stage I fire restrictions prohibit campfires that aren’t built in a developed recreation site. The restrictions also ban smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that’s barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

Operating an internal or external combustion engine without a spark-arresting device also is banned under Stage I restrictions.