Fire restrictions ordered along SE Utah river corridors
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The Bureau of Land Management, Utah State Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands and the National Park Service (NPS) announced last week that fire restrictions have been implemented on three major riverways in southeastern Utah.

Hot, dry weather has dried out vegetation and raised the fire potential to dangerous levels, according to a news release from the BLM.

Three river corridors including the Green River (from Swasey Beach to the confluence with the Colorado River,) the Colorado River (from the Colorado/Utah border to Hite Marina, through Canyonlands National Park) and the San Juan River (from Bluff to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area), are affected by the restrictions, BLM officials said.

While the restrictions are in effect, the following acts are prohibited in the affected areas and on roads and trails:

• Setting, building, maintaining, attending, or using open fire of any kind (including charcoal) except as otherwise authorized. Devices fueled by petroleum or liquid propane gas (LPG) products are allowed in all locations.

• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, camp trailer, or building, or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared to the soil.

• Discharging, or using any kind of fireworks, tracer ammunition, or other incendiary devices in any location on federal lands. BLM officials say that these acts are always prohibited on federal lands.

• Operating a motorcycle, chainsaw, ATV, or other types of small engines without an approved and working spark arrester.

All other fire restrictions, or necessary exemptions to the restrictions, will be handled through local permits issued by the responsible agency, according to the news release.

Commercial river outfitters may continue to have fires contained in fire pans on open beaches as specified in their current permits, BLM officials said.

The order became effective on July 24 and will remain in effect until rescinded by the various agencies, according to the news release.

Additional information about the fire restrictions is available online at www.utahfireinfo.gov, or by calling Mike Benefield at 435-259-2191.
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