Warm, dry weather on the Pawnee National Grassland in rural Weld County is fueling concerns that visitors could easily spark a major fire.
Three fires have been reported on the grassland over the past two weekends, including one on Sunday that burned as many as 100 acres of private and public land.
Warm weather is driving up the number of visitors at the grassland. In fact, U.S. Forest Service officials say, more than 100 contacts were made by grassland personnel with recreational shooters Sunday.
Still, if the current weather pattern persists, the grassland might have to be closed to avoid major fires.
“If fire conditions remain the same, we may have to consider temporarily closing the Pawnee National Grassland to a number of uses,” said Glenn Casamassa, forest supervisor of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland.
Some of the regulations regarding shooting include:
For more information, go to or 970-346-5000.
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
