San Juan County, Colorado, announced stage 1 fire restrictions shortly before 1 p.m. on Wednesday, citing “drought conditions, wildfires all around the west and limited federal wildland fire fighting resources.”

The fire restrictions include a smoking ban except within an enclosed vehicle or building, within a developed recreation site or while within an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or otherwise clear of all flammable vegetation, according to a news release from the San Juan County Office of Emergency Management.

The San Juan County Office of Emergency Management will hold a planning meeting Thursday afternoon about Independence Day festivities where it will be determined when the county’s annual July 4 fireworks show will be held or called off. (Durango Herald file)
The San Juan County Office of Emergency Management will hold a planning meeting Thursday afternoon about Independence Day festivities where it will be determined when the county’s annual July 4 fireworks show will be held or called off. (Durango Herald file)

Campfires, explosive materials, welding or operating combustible engines without spark arresting devices are also general restrictions under the stage 1 restrictions.

Specifically, building or using a fire, campfire, coal or wood burning stove, any type of charcoal-fueled broiler, propane fire ring or open fire is prohibited in all areas, with an exception for propane grills and stoves.

Likewise, fireworks, blasting caps and incendiary devices that could result in ignition of flammable materials is prohibited.

What do the fire restrictions mean for San Juan County’s annual Independence Day fireworks show? Deanne Gallegos, spokesperson for the San Juan County Officer of Emergency Management, said it’s a little too early to definitively say.

A meeting Thursday afternoon among emergency management, the town of Silverton, San Juan County Sheriff Steve Lowrance and the Silverton San Juan Fire & Rescue Authority could produce more information. The meeting will also address the influx of visitors to Silverton expected with July 4 festivities.

Gallegos said the decision to go forward with, postpone or cancel San Juan County’s annual fireworks show is typically made about 14 days before the show is scheduled. The decision lies with Lawrence, who serves as sheriff and fire marshal, and Silverton San Juan Fire & Rescue Authority’s fire chief.

“It’s not really dependent on what’s happening in the rest of the county property, it’s really the conditions on Shrine Hill, the grasses below it and the perimeter that is circled around the fireworks,” she said.

She said the meeting will address if and when the fireworks would be called off.

The city of Durango announced in April it would forego a fireworks show this July 4 holiday due to drought conditions.

Durango Fire Protection District Chief Randy Black said then drought conditions across the state were “really bad news” for Colorado.

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