News Release

Fire Restrictions Lifted in San Luis Valley

Heavy rains in recent weeks have reduced the need for fire restrictions.

NPS/Patrick Myers

News Release Date: July 28, 2020

Contact: Kathy Faz, 719-378-6341

Effective 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 fire restrictions will be removed for all lands managed by the Rio Grande National Forest, Bureau of Land Management San Luis Valley Field Office, and Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve.

While monsoonal flows have brought abundant moisture and higher humidity to the San Luis Valley and upper Rio Grande watershed, some areas have not received as much rain as others. Long term weather forecasts predict continued monsoons, but fire danger may remain higher in isolated areas.

Campfires are allowed in designated fire grates in developed campgrounds managed by each of the agencies and when dispersed camping on lands managed by the Rio Grande National Forest and San Luis Valley Field Office.

“Although conditions are improving, visitors should be mindful that their actions can still cause an unwanted wildfire,” said Chad Lewis, Fire Management Officer for the Rio Grande National Forest. Visitors are encouraged to practice these principles of outdoor fire safety:
• Clear all burnable material within three feet of campfire rings.
• Keep fires small and manageable.
• Never leave a fire unattended.
• Extinguish fires completely. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.
• Fireworks are always illegal on federally managed lands.

For more information, please call the respective agencies:
➢ Rio Grande National Forest Supervisor’s Office at 719-852-5941.
➢ Bureau of Land Management San Luis Valley Field Office at 719-852-7074.
➢ Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve at 719-378-6395.