The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Fire ban remains and fireworks cancelled
By Kristy Acuff and Cayla Vidmar
In spite of recent rains, the fire danger remains high, and with dry, hot weather in the forecast, the Forest Service has no plans to lift the Stage Two fire ban enacted last week. Mt. Crested Butte has also decided to cancel the Fourth of July fire works.
“It’s natural for the public to think because we received rain that the drought is over and fire conditions have improved, but that is not the case,” says Lynn Barclay, public information officer for Gunnison National Forest. “The rain we received provided some short-lived relief, but the fire danger is going to climb back up as temperatures increase at the end of the week.”
And at the June 19 Mt. Crested Butte Town Council meeting, town manager Joe Fitzpatrick regretfully informed the council that he had to cancel the Fourth of July fire works. “The contractor needed an answer, and looking at the forecast, it’s going to be very dry for the next week,” stated Fitzpatrick.
Barclay credits the public for following the rules of the fire ban and keeping the area free of wildfires. “We would like to thank the public for observing the fire restrictions to keep us safe, and ask that everyone please continue to be partners with us in fire prevention.”
Visit gunnisoncounty.org for more specific information on the fire ban.
