Restrictions make Fourth of July campfires a no-go in these Colorado national forests
Dry, hot weather has prompted Stage I and Stage II fire restrictions throughout national forest land
July 3, 2018
A banner informing people of the fire restrictions hangs in the roundabout in Basalt on June 28.
A Fourth of July spent swapping stories and s'mores around a roaring campfire is off the table for many revelers planning their festivities in Colorado's fire-stricken national forest land.
The state's national forests have enacted strict fire restrictions heading into the holiday as about a dozen wildfires blaze trails across the state.
The White River National Forest, covering more than 2 million acres in popular destinations like Vail, Aspen and Dillon, is on Stage II fire restrictions. That means all outside fires including ones in established campgrounds are prohibited. Smoking is not allowed except within an enclosed vehicle or building and fireworks of any kind are banned.
Other national forest land that's implemented strict Stage II fire restrictions include: Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests; the Leadville, Pikes Peak, South Park, and South Platte ranger districts of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests; and the San Juan National Forest, which was closed to all visitors earlier this year by the nearby 416 fire.
Other national forest land in the state has declared Stage I fire restrictions, including: the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee Grassland which include places like Boulder, Clear Creek, Grand, Jefferson Larimer and Park counties; and the Rio Grande National Forest in the southwest.
