Jefferson County Urges CAUTION for the Mountains

While there are no fire restrictions currently in effect for Jefferson
County, caution is highly recommended for people visiting the high country.

Conditions are such that fires can and will spread quickly. These conditions are not expected to change in the near future.

The following recommendations should be adhered to in order to minimize the chances of starting a wildfire:

* Never leave campfires unattended.
* Have proper fire extinguishing supplies readily available.
* Completely extinguish the campfire when it is no longer being used.
* Properly dispose of cigarettes and other smoking materials.

Jefferson County, Colorado Web Site
posted by Pinecamguy at 4:35 PM

We could be in for long forest fire season this year.

Colorado's snowpack is at its lowest level since the drought year fo 1977.

The latest survey shows the snowpack level is only 52 percent of normal, and a third lower than last year.

Denver Post.com - Snowpack level lowest since '77

LAKE GEORGE...After fighting the Platte Springs wildfire in Park County north of Lake George for six days, it was declared to be controlled as of April 6 at 5:00 p.m. after consuming a total of 250 acres. All firefighting elements have now returned to their units. The area consumed by the fire will continue to be monitored by personnel from the U.S. Forest Service's South Park Ranger District based in Fairplay.

This was the first noteworthy wildfire to occur in the Pike National Forest for the 2002 fire season, which appears to have an earlier start this year due to the much drier than normal conditions. South Park District Ranger Sara Mayben lauded the efforts of the firefighters in their ability to operate safely and quickly and to gain control of the fire while operating in steep, rugged terrain and cold, icy conditions. "These are people who came together from different agencies in the western region and developed quickly into an highly effective team to fight this fire while maintaining firefighter safety. That's impressive, particularly considering that it occurred this early in the fire season."

The fire was first reported on Monday, April 1, with the dry conditions, low humidity and winds gusting to 40 miles per hour aiding the fire's rapid spread to 200 acres by the end of the day. Cooler temperatures, higher humidity and reduced winds on Tuesday and Wednesday then aided the firefighting efforts, allowing the approximately 60 firefighters battling the blaze to get the upper hand. The fire was declared fully contained at 6 pm. on April 3. Approximately 60 firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Lake George Volunteer Fire Department fought the blaze.

Road and trail closures that went into effect April 2 have been rescinded. Campers and recreationists, however, are reminded to use extreme caution with fire in the forests. Never leave a campfire unattended. Clear a large space around the fire and have water nearby to ensure it is completely extinguished. Abandoned campfires are a major source of wildland fires along the Front Range.

posted by Pinecamguy at 1:17 PM

We could be in for long forest fire season this year.

Colorado's snowpack is at its lowest level since the drought year fo 1977.

The latest survey shows the snowpack level is only 52 percent of normal, and a third lower than last year.

Denver Post.com - Snowpack level lowest since '77
posted by Pinecamguy at 1:07 PM