The Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit is asking residents to exercise caution when burning outdoors following the ignition of two wildfires in Routt County.
Earlier this month firefighters worked a 40-acre blaze near Sleeping Giant and on Tuesday Colorado Highway 131 was closed while firefighters extinguished a small wildfire near Yampa.
The recent wildfires highlight the persisting dry conditions that have resulted in unusually high fire risk for this time of year, a fire management news release stated.
“We are urging everyone to remain aware of the danger and use common sense with fire,” said Dave Toelle, assistant fire management officer for the Northwest Colorado Interagency Fire Management Unit in Craig, in the release. “Don’t burn fields or leaves on windy days, for instance, and make sure your campfire is completely out before you leave camp.”
Agricultural burns should follow local county or fire protection district requirements for permits and/or notification, the release states.