Fort Collins, Colo. (Sept. 16, 2010) – Forest Supervisor Glenn Casamassa today signed an order that prohibits the following actions on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Boulder, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, and Park counties.

• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove, except within a developed recreation site. The use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices, providing such devices meet the fire underwriter’s specifications for safety, is allowed.
• Using an explosive (e.g. fireworks).
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
• Possessing or using a motor vehicle off National Forest System roads, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway; and except for parking overnight in Forest Service developed campgrounds and trailheads.
• Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.
• Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine (e. g. chainsaw) without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order.

This action was taken because of the dry conditions that have led to two major wildfires along the Colorado Front Range and to support fire prohibitions put in place by elected officials in the counties covered by the order.

For more information, contact your local ranger district office or visit the web at www.fs.usda.gov/arp ^[1] .