MESA COUNTY, CO — Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will go into effect across Mesa County and surrounding public lands at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 12.
The restrictions are being implemented jointly by the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Grand Junction Field Office, the Colorado National Monument, and local fire chiefs representing municipalities and fire protection districts across the county. These measures apply to all private land and BLM-managed public lands within the boundaries of the Grand Junction Field Office.
At this time, fire restrictions are not being implemented for the White River, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, or Gunnison National Forests.
Officials state that fire restrictions are enacted based on specific environmental criteria, including vegetation moisture content, weather outlooks, and human risk factors. Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, the following activities are strictly prohibited:
- Personal use of fireworks
- Campfires outside of designated fire pits or fire rings
- Agricultural open burning without a permit issued by the Sheriff
- Use of explosive targets
- Smoking outdoors near combustible materials
- Operating any internal combustion engine (such as chainsaws) without a properly installed, maintained, and working spark-arresting device
- Welding or operating acetylene or other open-flame torches, except in cleared areas at least 10 feet in diameter with a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher present
With current dry conditions and consistently high temperatures, officials warn that a single spark can cause a dangerous, fast-spreading fire.
Community members are urged to remain vigilant about other fire hazards outdoors, such as dragging trailer chains or parking vehicles with hot exhaust pipes in tall grass. Cigarettes must be disposed of in proper receptacles, and campfires must never be left unattended.
