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Moffat County moves into Stage 2 fire restrictions

As more than 120,00 acres of public land burns across the state of Colorado, Moffat County moves into Stage 2 fire restrictions.

The stage 2 restrictions will go into effect on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 12:01 a.m.

During Tuesday’s Moffat County Board of County Commissioners’ meeting, Moffat County Sheriff KC Hume asked Commissioners Ray Beck, Don Cook and Donald Broom to adopt Resolution 2020-81, establishing the stage 2 restriction on open fires and open burning in the unincorporated areas of Moffat County.



Moffat County had previously moved into stage 1 fire restrictions on July 14.

While fire conditions are extreme in the northwest corner of the state – and on the Western Slope as a whole, this is the latest the county has moved to stage 2 in a few years, according to Hume.



In 2018, the county moved to stage 2 in mid July. That year turned out to be one of the worst fire seasons in Moffat County in quite some time.

According to stage 2 restrictions, the following activities are prohibited:

  • All open burning as defined
  • Using explosive material: (i.e.: fireworks, blasting caps or any incendiary device which may result in the ignition of flammable material.)
  • Outdoor smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
  • Welding, or operating an acetylene or other similar torch with open flame.
  • Operating or using any internal combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order.
  • Operating a chainsaw without a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity by weight, and one size 0 or larger round pointed shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches. The extinguisher shall be with the chainsaw operator. The shovel may be kept with the fueling supplies but readily available.

“If we all do our part, we should be fine here in Moffat County,” Hume said.

Commissioners quickly adopted the resolution with a unanimous vote.


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