Update on Fire Restrictions in the Unincorporated Area of La Plata County

Durango, CO – On June 20, 2012, the La Plata County Board of County Commissioners enacted Stage II fire restrictions for the unincorporated area of La Plata County, upon the recommendation of Sheriff Duke Schirard and the Chiefs of the four local fire districts. These fire restrictions are still in place for all private lands in the unincorporated area of La Plata County, excluding those private lands in the Towns of Bayfield and Ignacio, the City of Durango, or any State, Federal or Tribal lands.

On Monday, July 16, 2012, the Fire Chiefs from the fire districts within La Plata County along with Federal, State and Tribal fire personnel will be meeting to discuss easing fire restrictions back to Stage I and the possible lifting of restrictions for higher elevations. They will base their decision upon fuels testing and amount of rain received in the various zones of La Plata County.

The Stage II restrictions that are currently in place do provide flexibility to the local fire chiefs to ease restrictions within their respective jurisdictions, if they deem such actions to be safe, appropriate and prudent in their professional opinions. There are four fire districts within La Plata County serving specific areas of the County. To request a special exception permit to burn, please contact a fire department listed below based on the location of the property:

Durango Fire and Rescue Authority (for properties in the Animas valley corridor from the north county line to New Mexico), visit http://www.durangofirerescue.org/prevention.html to fill out the online permit, or call 382-6023.
Upper Pine Fire Protection District (for properties surrounding Gem Village and Bayfield, north to Vallecito), please call 884-9508;
Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District (for properties in west La Plata County surrounding Hesperus to the Colorado/New Mexico state line on Highway 140), please call 238-0115; or
Los Pinos Fire Protection District (for properties in the southeast corner of La Plata County and surrounding Ignacio), please call 563-9501.

The San Juan National Forest will be easing their fire restrictions effective on Friday, July 13, 2012. For additional information about fire restrictions within the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874 or visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan.

For specific information about the fire restrictions, individuals should contact their local fire department. A violation of the fire restrictions shall constitute a class 2 petty offense punishable by a fine of up to $300 for each violation.