We live by the Overend Mountain Park and, recently, two open camp fires were discovered by park users. One was quite large and unattended. This situation is completely unacceptable, and everyone who cares about tourism, mountain biking, hiking, scenery and the ambiance of Durango is asked to help spread the word: Overnight camping and open fires are never allowed in the city of Durango’s parks and open space. If you or your kids wish to camp, please do so on the vast federal lands (U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management) that surround us and, of course, follow the rules.

Recreational businesses: Please tell your customers about local campfire policies. Bikers, hikers, dog walkers and joggers, you might consider carrying a cellphone and call if you see a fire. Please, use common sense in calling so as not to overwhelm our local emergency responders. City of Durango: Please do more patrols and step up efforts to prevent illegal camping and inform all first-responder personnel about trail heads, trail locations and jurisdictions.

Most of us live and work here because of the stunning beauty and our world class system of trails and parks. Just drive through Colorado Springs and see what the Waldo Canyon Fire has done to that city’s skyline. We don’t want that here. Please be careful and help spread the word about the difference between campfires on federal lands, which are allowed under rules, and city lands where they are never allowed.

Marsha Porter-Norton and John Norton

Durango