Warm, dry weather on the Pawnee National Grassland in rural Weld County is fueling concerns a major fire could easily be sparked by users of the park.
Three fires have been reported on the grasslands over the last two weekends, including one on Sunday that burned as many as100 acres of private and public land.
Warm weather is driving up the number of visitors at the Grassland. In fact, National Park Service officials say, over 100 contacts were made by park personnel with recreation shooters on the Grassland Sunday.
With the increase of activity, officials are asking visitors to avoid congestion and keep a safe distance from other users with at the park.
Still, if the current weather pattern persists, the park may 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,” Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest and Pawnee National Grassland Forest Supervisor Glenn Casamassa said.
Some of the regulations regarding shooting include:
BShoot further than 150 yards from a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation area or occupied area.
BDo not shoot across or on a National Forest System Road or adjacent body of water.
BDo not shoot in any manner or place where any person or property is exposed to injury or damage.
BDo not shoot any tracer bullets or incendiary ammunition.
BOnly shoot at cardboard/paper targets, manufactured metallic targets, or manufactured thrown-type clay targets.
BDo not possess an open container of an alcoholic beverage while discharging a firearm.
For more information go to or 970-346-5000.
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
