Dinosaur National Monument will implement stage 2 fire restrictions at 12:01 a.m. on Friday and they will remain in effect until further notice because of the heat wave and lack of rain.
The restrictions prohibit:
• Building, maintaining, attending or using a campfire, or charcoal, coal, or wood stove fire, even in a developed recreation site or an improved site. (Petroleum-fueled stoves and lanterns will still be allowed.)
• Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle.
• Any use of fireworks, which are never allowed in Dinosaur National Monument.
Any violation is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, or a jail term of up to six months, or both.
According to the National Park Service, the intent of the stage 2 restrictions is to reduce the number of human-caused fires at a time when northeastern Utah and northwestern Colorado are experiencing “critical fire conditions,” with above-normal temperatures, low humidity and extremely dry fuels.
The 210,000-acre monument extends from Utah into Colorado. On the Utah side, it’s in Uintah County west of Vernal; on the Colorado side, it’s in Moffat County north of Dinosaur.
