Western Colorado is doing what they can to prevent wildfires as dangerous conditions continue. Rio Blanco and Moffat County have both announced that Stage 1 fire restrictions went into effect on July 15th for their county. Rio Blanco County listed the following acts as prohibited: building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire except within agency-provided fire grates at developed recreation sites; Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is cleared of all flammable materials; Operating a chainsaw without an approved spark arrestor properly installed and working, a chemical fire extinguisher, and one round point shovel; Using a welder or other torch with open flame except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter with a fire extinguisher on hand; and finally, there is no using exploding targets. The only exemptions to this restriction order are for those with a written permit authorizing a prohibited act; those conducting a prohibited act in a designated area that has specifically been authorized by written posted notice; and any federal, state, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force performing an official duty.
