Submitted by San Juan County

At noon, July 24, the fire risk in San Juan County will go from moderate to high.

Campfires remain legal as do barbecues. A few reminders to keep the community safe at this time:

• Have a charged hose nearby at all times to extinguish fires that may get out of control.
• Fires must be attended at all times until they are dead out. (Drowned with water and no coals visible.)
• You may be held responsible financially for fires that you light that get out of control and require fire department extinguishment.
• Campfires must be lit in fire bowls or rings or on bare earth.
• Campfires are for clean, dry firewood. Campfires are not for burning yard debris or garbage, even paper and cardboard products.
• Before lighting fires, check the weather and make sure high winds are not predicted which could lead to fire being carried away from your designated fire site.
• Be aware barbecues can emit sparks or firebrands that can contribute to fires in gutters that have not been cleaned out or under decks where accumulation of leaves or pine needles may provide ideal fuel to make an unwanted fire.

Due to the specific site issues at Shaw Park, wood burning campfires have been banned at Shaw Park until further notice. At this time charcoal grills and propane fire bowls used within a fire ring are allowed. For now, campfires are still allowed in approved fire rings at San Juan and Odlin County Parks.

To stay up to date on fire information, visit www.sanjuanco.com/1088/Fire-Marshal or www.facebook.com/SanjuancountyFMO/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel.