U.S. Forest Service/Photo courtesy
The U.S. Forest Service is urging the public to completely extinguish campfires amid “dangerous trends in outdoor recreation,” according to a news release from Pike-San Isabel National Forest.
There have been 139 reports of abandoned or neglected campfires reported to the Pueblo Joint Command Center since the start of the year through July 12. Abandoned and neglected campfires are reportedly “one of the leading causes of devastating wildfires,” according to the release.
Vidalia Vigil, a fire prevention specialist with Pike-San Isabel National Forest, said campers should check for red flag warnings and fire restrictions before setting off.
“Please be careful with campfires,” Vigil said in a statement. “Make sure your campfire location is not near tents, flammable materials or other belongings. Always make sure any fires are fully extinguished before you leave, even if you plan to return. Also, make sure the fire is out before you go to bed.”
The Interlaken Fire in Twin Lakes Recreation Area near Leadville started as an abandoned campfire and burned 700 acres near the historic Interlaken Resort.
National Fire Preparedness Levels Weeks After the Interlaken Fire Level 4 has increased and is now at 4 out of 5. This indicates that there are large wildfires burning in multiple areas and significant resources are being deployed. Level 4 also indicates that increased resource demands are expected.
Meanwhile, in White River National Forest, the most-visited national forest in the United States, public information officer David Boyd reported that authorities found more than a dozen unburned campfires throughout the forest over the weekend.
Boyd noted that one wildfire has already started in the White River National Forest this year because of an unattended campfire, and the Wellington Fire, which began earlier this month less than a half-mile from the Breckenridge community, shows that “it only takes one unattended campfire to start a wildfire,” he said.
The Wellington Fire has burned less than an acre, and officials credit fuel reduction work done so far in the area with helping to protect nearby communities.
According to the Forest Service, campers should come to the forest with a bucket, plenty of water to put out the fire, and a shovel to stoke the ashes. Campers should then relight the campfire, stir it again, and test it with the back of their hand to see if it’s cool, and repeat the process if it’s not.
According to the Forest Service, anyone who violates the rules against abandoning campfires can face fines and even jail time. If an abandoned campfire causes a wildfire, the person who started it can also be held responsible for the costs of putting it out.
The Summit County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating an abandoned campfire near the Dillon Valley Trailhead, and authorities say charges will be filed once a suspect is positively identified.
Anyone who sees an abandoned campfire should try to put it out if possible or report it by calling the local non-emergency number or the local national forest district.
