Fire restrictions in Pueblo County have been lifted Tuesday.
Pueblo County Sheriff Kirk M. Taylor announced that the county is no longer under restrictions as of immediately. The county was previously under Stage 1 restrictions, but due to increasing rain in the forecast fire danger conditions have improved.
“The recent rain along with the forecast for more precipitation has improved conditions such that fire restrictions are no longer necessary,” said Sheriff Taylor. “I want to thank the citizens of Pueblo County for their patience and diligence in obeying the fire restrictions while conditions were extreme.”
Factors included in this decision include a 1,000-hour fuel moisture content, the current danger rating of "moderate", the fact that the area affected is no longer experiencing a high number of human-caused fires, monsoon moisture predicted to increase and the availability of fire resources.
Lifting the restrictions does mean that Pueblo County residents can have outdoor fires for yard debris, agricultural needs and recreation. The county does urge smokers to use caution and safely extinguish all smoking materials.
All residents are urged to continue to use caution when using fire and follow all notification rules that exist in Pueblo County regarding burning. Residents are reminded to report a controlled burn by calling (719) 583-2876 or online at http://www.sheriff.co.pueblo.co.us/.
Pueblo County had been under fire restrictions since May 18 due to extreme drought and high fire conditions that existed in the region.
