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BLM warns of high fire danger

Craig Daily Press Staff Report

Dry, windy conditions have led to high fire risk in Moffat County, the Bureau of Land Management’s Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit reported in a news release.

Several red flag fire warnings have already been issued for Northwest Colorado, and green-up, which normally slows fire spreading, has not yet occurred in most of the region.

Warm, dry weather is predicted to return later this week.



“Fire is a valuable and necessary tool, which under the right conditions can be safely used to promote plant regeneration, put nutrients back in the soil and remove vegetative debris,” according to the release.

However, the BLM cautioned landowners to take the following precautions when burning ditches, debris and other materials outdoors:



• Contact the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office and fire protection district before beginning a burn.

• Check the local weather conditions before beginning a burn, and don’t light fires on windy, warm and dry days, as fire can spread quickly in these conditions, the agency reported.

• Alert neighbors before beginning a burn to reduce false fire reports.

• Keep a shovel and plenty of water on hand, and never leave a fire unattended for any amount of time.

• Dig a firebreak to prevent a fire from burning out of control.

• If cell phone coverage is available, keep a cell phone on hand to report an escaped fire.

• Make sure the fire is dead before leaving the area.

For daily weather updates, visit http://www.crh.noaa.gov/gjt/.

For more information about fire prevention or to check the fire risk levels, call the BLM Little Snake Field Office at 826-5000.

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