Wildland fire risk increases due to human actions

MONTE VISTA — Fire danger continues to rise in the Upper Rio Grande Basin as temperatures stay high and the relative humidity stays low. The risk of a large wildland fire has increased even further from recent human activity.

 Ten of the 12 fires the San Luis Valley Interagency Fire Unit has responded to this summer have been human caused.  Recently, four human caused fires have occurred along roads in the South Fork area where there is a great risk of damage to property.  Fortunately, the South Fork Volunteer Fire Department has responded quickly to contain and extinguish these fires while they were still small.

 The San Luis Valley Public Lands Center requests that everyone take extra precaution to prevent a human caused wildland fire by abiding by the Stage II fire restrictions issued on Tuesday, June 26. 

Additionally, the Public Lands Center asks that people report any suspicious activity that may lead to a wildland fire to their local sheriff’s department by calling 911.

 Ten years ago, the human caused Million Fire burned over 9,000 acres, destroyed 11 homes and damaged six others.  Please help prevent that from happening again.

 For more information about fire conditions and the Stage II fire restrictions, contact the San Luis Valley Public Lands Center at 852-6212.