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Stage 1 fire restrictions return to Pitkin County, upper Roaring Fork Valley area

A banner informing people of the fire restrictions hangs in the roundabout in Basalt in June 2018.
Anna Stonehouse/The Aspen Times

As expected, Pitkin County officials decided Friday morning to reimpose Stage 1 fire restrictions because of continued hot and dry weather conditions, according to a news release.

The restrictions are scheduled to begin at noon Friday and will restrict campfires to fire pits and fire rings in established, official campgrounds only. Fires will not be allowed for backcountry, dispersed camping.

The decision was made by Pitkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo in collaboration with area fire chiefs and officials from the White River National Forest and Bureau of Land Management, according to the release.

The dry forecast for the next month or so, historic lows in backcountry fuel moisture and the beginning of hunting season prompted the decision, officials have said.

Garfield County Stage 1 fire restrictions began just after midnight today.

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