By Kiersten Henry

Recent rainfall in Routt County has brought much relief tolocals. We saover three inches of rain in July, which helped restore Steamboat’s summertime green hues and reduced the threat of wildfires. Stage One was enacted on July 27^th. The Forest Service nopermits campfires and stove fires within an area that is designated as a campground or picnic area. The specifics of Stage One are laid out by the Forest Service below: 

PROHIBITIONS

• No building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire without a permit EXCEPT in Forest Service developed camp or picnic ground. The following actions are permitted: petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices providing such devices meet the fire underwriter’s specification for safety.

• No smoking unless in an enclosed vehicle or building, 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.

• No operation welding, acetylene, or other torch with an open flame.

• No operation or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order.

EXEMPTIONS

• Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the prohibited act or omission.

• Resident owners and leasers of land within the restricted area are exempt from above restriction provided such fires arewithin the residence.

• Any Federal, State or Local Officer or member of un-organized fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

• A stove fire is defined as a campfire built inside an enclosed stove or grill, portable brazier, or a pressurized liquid or gas stove, including a space-heating device.