Manti LaSal National Forest has implemented Stage 2 fire restrictions went into effect on Friday, June 25 due to dry conditions around the area. Castle Country Radio was able to sit down with Public Affairs Officer, Samantha Stoffregen to discuss all the details.

“Stage 2, the primary difference between 1 and 2 is that no camp fires, no briquettes, no charcoal, no campfires in designated camp rings nothing on the forest. Unless you are using liquid propane and it has an on/off value then by all means use your camp stove, use your grills in that sense, as long as it has that liquid propane with the on/off value,” stated Stoffregen. If individuals really desire a campfire with their camping experience, they can spend around $150.00 to purchase a propane operated camp fire ring to use.

Although, Stage 2 has only been implemented since June 25 Forest Service officials are still finding unattended campfires throughout the Manti LaSal National Forest. “So it’s not necessarily that there’s active open flames but the fire is still hot that can still produce embers, that can get picked up by the wind, and that get carried away. Which is essentially that abandoned, illegal campfire, at a dispersed campsite in Pack Creek was what initiated the Pack Creek Fire,” said Stoffregen. The Pack Creek fire was down in Grand County and is now almost fully contained.

If caught with active fire or abandoning a fire can result in fines and punishment. “Individuals face a fine of up to $5,000.00, groups face a fine up to $10,000.00 and both face the option of six months imprisonment. We sound like a broken record, and I understand that campfires go hand in hand with camping, but if I can make that sacrifice this year due to these extremely dry conditions so can you,” stated Stoffregen. These dry conditions that we are currently facing are generally not seen until July or August and here we are the end of June. So it’s important that individuals recreating on the Manti LaSal National Forest obey the Stage 2 fire restrictions set in place.

For additional information on the Manti- La Sal National Forest, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/mantilasal