Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, Stage 1 fire restrictions will be in place for all the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland (MBRTB).

This includes National Forest System lands located in Garfield, Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties in northwest Colorado; Albany, Campbell, Carbon, Converse, Crook, Natrona, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston counties in Wyoming.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service has communicated with all affected counties, state agencies, and neighboring federal land managers on the timing of the restrictions.

Restrictions are necessary due to dry fuel conditions, persistent fire weather patterns, and the danger of human-caused wildfires. Recent dry, windy, and hot weather conditions have resulted in an elevated potential for wildfires. Fire restrictions will help protect public health and safety, as well as natural resources.

Fall hunting seasons are underway, and hunters are reminded that all restrictions apply to all visitors. Even seemingly insignificant, small warming fires can be the cause of wildfires.

The Thunder Basin National Grassland has been in Stage 1 fire restrictions since Aug. 7 of this year.

Not uncommon in recent years, the MBRTB has now been in Stage 1 restrictions at some point in five of the last seven years.

The following prohibitions are in effect until further notice:

• Igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes) except if it is in:
  • A permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the U.S. Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas);
  • A device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off used in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device; or
  • A fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least five feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a ¼ inch or less used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device.
• Smoking is prohibited, except 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 materials.
• Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order meeting either U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100-1a; or appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practice J335(b) and J350(a). For chainsaw use, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of 2A) must be kept with the operator, and a round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use.
• Blasting, welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except if in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of Class 2A) is kept with the operator.
• Using an explosive. This includes but is not limited to fuses, blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, tracers, and incendiary ammunition.

Personal, portable wood or charcoal burning fire pits/rings, often made of stainless steel, are not allowed under these restrictions. Campfires are only allowed in USDA approved and installed fire pits/grates, or gas-fueled devices with an on/off switch.

Violation of these regulations is punishable as a class B misdemeanor, by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment of not more than six months, or both.  Anyone negligently or willfully starting a wildland fire could also be held responsible for the costs of that fire.

Forest staff will continue to monitor conditions to assess the need for further action, including additional restrictions if weather remains hot and dry and lessening restrictions if a wetter and cooler weather pattern develops.

Call or visit your local office for site-specific information.

• Brush Creek-Hayden Ranger District, Saratoga, Wyo., (307) 326-5258
• Douglas Ranger District, Douglas, Wyo., (307) 358-4690
• Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District, Steamboat Springs, Colo., (970) 870-2299
• Forest Supervisor’s Office & Laramie Ranger District, Laramie, Wyo., (307) 745-2300
• Parks Ranger District, Walden, Colo., (970) 723-2700
• Yampa Ranger District, Yampa, Colo., (970) 638-4516

To report a wildland fire, please call the interagency dispatch center below:

• Casper Dispatch, (800) 295-9952

Information on the MBRTB can be found on our website or on the Forests’ ‘X’ and Facebook accounts.