Stage 2 fire restrictions near Marble

Areas within the Sopris Ranger District in White River National Forest are much drier

By Katherine Nettles

Gunnison County has enacted a stage-2 fire restriction for a northern portion of Gunnison County near Marble that lies within the Sopris Ranger District in the White River National Forest, in keeping with the neighboring counties and in response to persistent dry conditions in that area.

The restrictions are effective immediately as of 10:08 a.m. on Wednesday, September 2. The rest of Gunnison County, including its municipalities, remain in stage 1 restrictions despite recent moderate rains.

Gunnison County commissioners held a special meeting on Wednesday, to consider and ultimately pass the new restrictions.

Having “determined that currently the danger of forest or grass fires in that portion of Gunnison County within the Sopris Ranger District in the White River National Forest is high at this time and fire restrictions are necessary and appropriate to reduce the danger of wildfires in Gunnison County,” as the resolution stated, the commissioners discussed the issue with Emergency manager Scott Morrill and sheriff John Gallowich.

“This makes sense for the visitors and the residents there,” said Morrill. “Pitkin and Garfield counties are already in stage 2 as well.”

Stage 2 fire restrictions will be in place in that portion of Gunnison County until further notice. This prohibits building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal grills and barbecues, coal and wood burning stoves, sheepherder’s stoves, including use in developed camping and picnic grounds; prohibits smoking unless within an enclosed vehicle, trailer or building; prohibits operating any internal combustion engine (e.g. chainsaw, generator, ATV)  and limits off road driving or parking among other actions.

For more information, visit www.gunnisoncounty.org/852/Wildfire-Information