Summit County Lifts Fire Restrictions

Recent rains have reduced fire danger

Contact:

Erin Opsahl, Summit County Sheriff’s Office

970-453-8901, Erin.Opsahl@SummitCountyCO.gov

SUMMIT COUNTY – The Summit County Board of Commissioners lifted fire restrictions in Summit County Tuesday afternoon, upon recommendation Tuesday morning by Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons. The Board of County Commissioners had enacted the ban on open fires on July 5, in response to dry conditions earlier in the summer.

Local, state and federal officials participate in weekly regional conference calls to monitor, assess and discuss conditions related to fire danger throughout the West Slope and to make determinations about appropriate fire restrictions.

“The precipitation and increased humidity from recent monsoon rains in Summit County have raised the fuel-moisture content in most of our vegetation,” Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue Chief Jeff Berino said. “This reduces the speed at which a fire would likely spread, and the intensity at which it would burn.”

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center,  precipitation across Colorado in early August is forecast to be higher than average.

Despite the lifting of fire restrictions, Summit County urges residents to remain vigilant in preventing wildfires. According to the U.S. Forest Service, about nine out of 10 wildfires are caused by humans.

•         Never leave a burning fire unattended.

•         Always have at hand a way to extinguish your fire.

•         Thoroughly extinguish your fire when you’re done: Douse coals, stir them and douse them again until they are literally cool to the touch.

•         Do not throw cigarettes on the ground or out of vehicle windows.

•         Keep campfires small and under control.

•         Do not park or idle vehicles in tall, dry grass.

•         Do not allow chains to drag from vehicles or trailers being towed.

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