Fire ban in effect Monday

ALAMOSA — Alamosa County is instituting a Stage 1 fire ban as of Monday, May 21, according to Alamosa County Sheriff Robert Jackson.

The sheriff said fire chiefs and others involved in the decision are concerned about the dry conditions in Alamosa County and throughout the San Luis Valley at this time. “The conditions are pretty scary,” he said.

The Rio Grande National Forest and Bureau of Land Management’s San Luis Valley Field Office earlier this week announced they would be initiating Stage 1 fire restrictions beginning May 21, and Alamosa County announced its intentions on Friday to follow suit.

Sheriff Jackson stressed that the fire ban will be in effect until further notice. He said if the Valley began receiving significant moisture in the near future, the ban could be lifted, but “It’s going to take quite a bit.”

The ban covers Alamosa County, and the federal ban covers public lands under forest and BLM jurisdiction. The City of Alamosa does not permit open burning already in the city limits.

Jackson said the ban means “no open fires” in the county.

In their joint announcement earlier this week, the Rio Grande National Forest and Bureau of Land Management listed what Stage 1 fire restrictions prohibit:

1. All open fires, campfires, charcoal-fueled fires, or coal or wood burning stove fires unless in an established fire grate in a developed campground. Petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices are allowed.

2. Smoking, unless within an enclosed vehicle or building, in a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

3. Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arrestor properly installed, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A kept with the operator, and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches.

4. Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame except when in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and in possession of a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of at least 2A.

As a reminder, the use of explosives and incendiary devices, including fireworks, are prohibited on all federal lands.