La Plata County lifted Stage 1 fire restrictions on Tuesday.
With recent rains, local fire chiefs believe fires can be safely managed, said Durango Fire Protection District Chief Hal Doughty.
“We’re never out of the threat of wildland fire ... but we feel confident we’re having success controlling fires that are breaking out,” he said.
Most jurisdictions enacted fire restrictions in spring as drought conditions gripped the region.
But in recent days, the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Southern Ute Indian Tribe have lifted restrictions after storms in recent weeks eased fire danger.
La Plata County commissioners voted unanimously to lift the county’s Stage 1 fire restrictions.
“We’ll always have some kind of wildfire risk,” said Commissioner Julie Westendorff.
“But the question is, can we address it and protect public safety, and it sounds like we can,” she added.
jromeo @durangoherald.com
