Dinosaur National Monument Restricts All Fires

Date: June 20, 2012
Contact: Dan Johnson, [phone]

Dinosaur, CO - Superintendent Mary Risser announced today that Stage 2 restrictions on open fires go into effect Friday, June 22, 2012, for the entire monument. The low snowfall this winter, coupled with a dry spring and a large amount of flammable vegetation left over from last year, has created a high fire danger situation. To protect visitors and park staff in Dinosaur National Monument and the natural and cultural resources, Stage 2 fire restrictions have been issued.

• Building or using any open fire or campfire is prohibited - including in fire grates in NPS campgrounds and picnic areas. Stoves that use pressurized gas or liquid fuel are permitted.
• Building any type of fire in a fire pan is prohibited.
• Smoking cigarettes is restricted to enclosed vehicles and buildings, if allowed.
• All chainsaws and other internal combustion engines, including motorcycles, must have spark arresting devices that are properly installed and in working order.
• Use of fireworks or pyrotechnic devices, including fire crackers, sparklers, fireworks, blasting caps or any incendiary device that may result in the ignition of flammable material, is prohibited.
• Use of welding and cutting torch devices is prohibited.

These restrictions will remain in effect until such time as the fire danger in the park becomes less severe. These restrictions are dependent upon extended fire weather and conditions and will be evaluated daily. At this time, there are no fires reported within the park.

If necessary, National Park Service Rangers will issue citations to persons violating the terms of this closure under authority of Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations 1.5(f). The park asks for everyone's cooperation during this high fire danger period to decrease the potential for a catastrophic fire in Dinosaur National Monument this season.