The Fourth of July is past, and there was rain last weekend, but wildfire danger continues.
The San Juan National Forest encourages the public to be careful with all combustible materials to prevent human-caused fires.
There are currently Stage 1 fire restrictions on national forest lands south of Highway 160 and west of Highway 84 in Archuleta and La Plata counties.
Although the area experienced rain last Friday, hot and dry weather was back this week. The Four Corners had 31 wildfires last week, three of which were human-caused.
For more information about the restrictions, visit our website at: www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan
Most of the San Juan National Forest is not under fire restrictions.
If you plan to visit unrestricted areas of the national forest, please follow these common sense practices:
Keep campfires small and clear of surrounding vegetation. Keep a shovel and water nearby at all times to extinguish the fire. Feel for heat using the back of your hand to be sure the fire is completely out. If necessary, continue to drown the fire with water and mix in soil. If possible, use a gas grill for barbecues, or an enclosed charcoal grill. Be sure to completely extinguish charcoal after cooking, and dispose of it in a non-combustible container. Unextinguished charcoal can remain hot for a number of days after use.Always dispose of smoking materials in an ashtray and remove from the area. Cigarette butts left on the ground can cause a fire and are a major source of litter. Ensure that your recreational vehicles and power equipment have approved and functioning spark arresters. Don't drive a vehicle with a hot catalytic converter in tall grass, which can easily ignite.Remember, the following acts are always prohibited on public lands nationwide:
The use of fireworks and other incendiary devices, including sparklersLeaving fires unattended or unextinguished.Contact the San Juan Public Lands Center at 247-4874 for more information.
