Colorado Parks and Wildlife Issues Fire Warning

DENVER – Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced Wednesday that county fire bans and restrictions will be strictly enforced in state parks and wildlife areas because the fire danger is extremely high across the state. All fires, including those in pits and grills, have been banned in 14 counties due to dry conditions and the risk of wildfires. Fire restrictions are in place in many other counties. The agency reminds all park visitors and sportsmen that county bans and restrictions apply to the state parks and wildlife areas in those counties.

                     “Colorado Parks and Wildlife will enforce the county fire bans and other restrictions. We urge visitors to parks and wildlife area take every precaution possible to prevent new fires from starting,” said Rick Cables, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director.

                      Counties with fire bans that impact state parks:

·       Adams County: Barr Lake State Park

·       Arapahoe County: Cherry Creek State Park

·       Boulder County: Eldorado Canyon State Park

·       Clear Creek County

·       Douglas County: Castlewood Canyon and Roxborough State Parks

·       Elbert County

·       Gilpin County: Golden Gate Canyon State Park

·       Grand County

·       Hinsdale County

·       Jackson County: State Forest State Park

·       Jefferson County: Chatfield and Staunton State Parks

·       Phillips County

·       Pitkin County

·       Washington County

                      The most recent county-by-county information on fire bans and restrictions is available at: the Colorado Division of Emergency Management website at: http://www.coemergency.com/p/fire-ban-info.html

                      Colorado Parks and Wildlife also manages more than 300 state wildlife areas. Many are open to recreational activities. Visitors to wildlife areas are encouraged to be aware of county restrictions and property specific regulations, which are available from local parks and wildlife offices.            

                     “When you are heading out to go camping, fishing or any recreational activity, please check with the state park, forest or land management agency where you are going for current fire conditions,” said Gary Thorson, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Assistant Director for Information and Education. “Because of the hot and dry weather, any fire or ignition source can create the risk of wildlife.”

                      Thorson said that visitors to the state parks and wildlife areas without fire bans and restrictions must follow the regulations for campfires:

·       Do not leave fires unattended or allow them to burn outside the fire ring.

·       Be sure to extinguish all fires completely. Check for embers and repeatedly douse fires with water.

·       Put out cigarettes and dispose of safely.

·       Please check with the state parks’ website, www.parks.state.co.us, for fire information at the specific park you plan to visit.

·       For fire information at state wildlife areas, please visit http://wildlife.state.co.us

                         Colorado Parks and Wildlife was created by the merger of Colorado State Parks and the Colorado Division of Wildlife, two nationally recognized leaders in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado's wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. To learn more about Colorado's state parks, please see: http://www.parks.state.co.us. To learn more about Colorado's wildlife programs, please see: http://wildlife.state.co.us