Mesa County Announces Fire Restrictions

Earlier today, officials with Mesa County and the Bureau of Land Management announced that countywide fire restrictions will go into effect at midnight tonight (Wednesday).

All Mesa County Fire Departments are supporting the fire restrictions.

The restrictions will allow fires in government-designated fire pits only, but will restrict any open flames and fires in non-approved fire pits.

With the Fourth of July coming up next week, one item should be noted in conjunction with the fire restrictions. Private fireworks use will be prohibited, but professional fireworks with proper permitting are still allowed. As of early Wednesday afternoon, City of Grand Junction spokeswoman Sam Rainguet said the fireworks display at Suplizio Field is still going on as planned.

Similar restrictions for private lands in Garfield County and on BLM lands managed by the Colorado River Valley Field Office will also go into effect at midnight.

Lands within the White River National Forest, as well as private lands for Eagle and Pitkin counties, are not under fire restrictions at this time.

Causing a fire in woods or prairie during fire restrictions is considered a class 6 felony and can be punishable by fines of $1,000 to $100,000 and/or imprisonment for 12 to 18 months. Other possible charges include fourth degree arson and intentionally setting wildfire.