Manti LaSal National Forest have lifted their fire restrictions they had set in place during the dry summer months. Castle Country Radio was able to sit down with Public Affairs Officer, Samantha Stoffregen to discuss all the details.

“We are lifting all fire restrictions for the entire Manti LaSal Forest. So that means you can have your regular campfires again, you can have them while you’re dispersed camping, you can have them in the designated rings. There are going to be no restrictions,” stated Stoffregen. Visitors to the forest are still strongly urged to practice safe fire habits when visiting the forest.

The reason for the removal of the fire restrictions is because of the monsoonal rains that our area has seen lately. “The moisture level present in the ground right now has made it so that we can lift those restrictions. That doesn’t mean that, you know, we’re not still in a drought but it just means that current exact conditions they are safer than what they were several weeks ago or at the start of the summer,” said Stoffregen.

With the monsoonal rains that our area is facing it could cause some flooding issues in the backcountry. “So we have noticed some decent flash floods come through the forest on both our north zone and our south zone. We’ve had flooding along the burn scars that have really carried a lot of logs and debris into those creeks and that creates a really dangerous situation. So we just want to remind people to pay attention when they’re out on the forest and be safe,” said Stoffregen. Visitors should pay particular attention to weather conditions when heading out to the backcountry and if it begins to rain, get to higher ground immediately.

There is still time to get some camping in before the summer season ends. “Heading up the canyon right now there’s plenty of great camping spots for everyone to get out and enjoy. With these lifted fire restrictions, now everyone can have their campfires, make some smores and round out a great 2021 summer season,” said Stoffregen. To learn more about the Manti LaSal Forest visit their website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/mantilasal or their Facebook page.