Pagosa Springs Area Chamber of Commerce News Newswire

FIRE DANGER A CONCERN FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AND BEYOND

Tue, 21 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2013
FIRE DANGER A CONCERN FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AND BEYOND

DURANGO - The Durango Interagency Fire Dispatch Center reports that fire danger is increasing on public lands as southwestern Colorado heads into the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Not only has this spring been relatively dry, but last fall was very dry, which has resulted in low soil moisture and vegetation at lower and middle elevations already drying out.

“Even with our recent rains, it will take a substantial amount of moisture to pull us out of drought conditions,” said Justin Kincaid, US Forest Service/BLM Hazardous Fuels Specialist. “The fire danger forecast is calling for average temperatures but drier than average precipitation for the foreseeable future.”

Durango Interagency Fire Dispatch reports that federal crews have already responded to several wildfires already this spring, including both lightning and human caused. All district offices are staffed to cover the more than two million acres of the San Juan National Forest and BLM Tres Rio Field Office. A single engine air tanker, lead plane and Type II helicopter are prepositioned at the Durango Interagency Air Tanker Base, with helicopters also stationed at Mesa Verde National Park and the Southern Ute Indian Reservation.

Although fire restrictions are not yet in place on federal lands, there are several things visitors can do to help prevent fires:

q Remove all vegetation and debris from within 10 feet before you start a campfire. Reconsider if you want to use a campfire during windy conditions.

q Make sure that you have a bucket of water, shovel, and other implements nearby in case your campfire starts to get out of control.

q Never leave a campfire unattended. Stir water and dirt into the coals with a shovel or stick until the coals are cool to the touch whenever you leave it.

q Extinguish smoking materials only in cleared areas free of vegetation or debris. Never toss cigarette butts out the car window.

q Do not park cars or recreational vehicles over dry vegetation. Exhaust systems can reach temperatures of more than 1,000 degrees; hot enough to start a wildfire.

q Use approved spark arresters on off-road vehicles and chainsaws. Check and replace spark arresters periodically.

q Remember that fireworks are illegal on federal lands. The penalty for violators is a maximum of six months in prison and/or $5,000 fine. Those found responsible for starting a wildfire may also be held responsible for the cost of putting it out and for damage caused.

To report a fire, call 911 or contact the Durango Interagency Fire Dispatch Center at 970 385-1324.

Ann H. Bond

Public Affairs Specialist

SAN JUAN NATIONAL FOREST

15 Burnett Court

Durango, CO 81301

970 385-1219 (off)

970 799-1210 (cell)

FireWise Offers Chipper Rental Rebate Program

Mon, 13 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Firewise of Southwest Colorado

News Release

May 9, 2012

FireWise Offers Chipper Rental Rebate Program

FireWise of Southwest Colorado is offering a Chipper Rental Rebate Program for residents needing to reduce the slash from wildfire fuels mitigation on private lands in La Plata and Archuleta counties. The program will reimburse residents the lesser of $100/day or 50% of the chipper rental cost or $100/day or 50% of the cost to have a mitigation company provide the chipping services. The program is valid May 1, 2013 through September 30, 2013 or until funds are expended. For more information or to request an application call Bill at 264-0430 or e-mail archuletafirewise@gmail.com.

# # #

Pam Wilson

Program Director

FireWise of Southwest Colorado

385-8909

2013 San Juan Public Lands Firewood Permits go on Sale Monday

Fri, 03 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 3, 2013

2013 San Juan Public Lands Firewood Permits go on Sale Monday

DURANGO – Permits for cutting firewood on National Forest and BLM lands in southwestern Colorado will go on sale at agency offices and selected retail outlets on Monday, May 6, 2013. A minimum purchase of $20 allows the bearer to gather two-and-a-half cords of firewood from federal lands for personal use prior to December 31, 2013. Each tag is good for one-half cord of firewood. The appropriate number of tags must be securely fastened to the firewood in a visible manner before the vehicle is driven from the place where the firewood was gathered. One household may purchase permits for up to 10 cords of firewood per year for personal use. Gathering firewood for resale requires a commercial permit.

Permits, which come with a brochure and map, are available at:

q San Juan Public Lands Center, 15 Burnett Court, Durango

q Kroeger’s Ace Hardware, 8 Town Plaza, Durango

q Columbine Ranger District/Field Office, 367 South Pearl, Bayfield

q Silverton Public Lands Office, 246 Blair Street, Silverton

q Dolores Public Lands Office, 29211 Highway 184, Dolores

q City Market, 508 E. Main, Cortez

q Dolores Food Market, 400 Railroad Ave., Dolores

q Cox Conoco, 201 E Railroad Ave, Mancos

q Pagosa Ranger District/Field Office, 2^nd & Pagosa St., Pagosa Springs

Restrictions apply to the cutting of standing dead ponderosa pine and live Gambel oak, and some area restrictions are in place. Information on these requirements can be found on firewood tags and in accompanying brochures. Permit holders are expected to be familiar with these regulations.

Most National Forest and BLM roads are now dry enough to be opened to traffic, allowing the public to access backcountry areas. Information on specific road conditions is available on the San Juan National Forest Website. Go to:www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan/ and click on Road and Motorized Trail Information in the right hand column to be directed to Current Road Status.

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Ann H. Bond

Public Affairs Specialist

SAN JUAN NATIONAL FOREST

15 Burnett Court

Durango, CO 81301

970 385-1219 (off)

970 799-1210 (cell)

FY14 Colorado Creates Grant now Available

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Date:

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Media Contact:

Christine Costello 303.892.3840 christine.costello@state.co.us Holly Shrewsbury ? 303-866-3847 holly.shrewsbury@state.co.us

Office of:

Economic Development and International Trade

DENVER — April 8, 2013 — Colorado Creative Industries’ largest grant program, Colorado Creates, today announced they are accepting applications. Nonprofit cultural organizations and communities interested in applying for grants can access guidelines and the application at www.coloradocreativeindustries.org. The new funding period is October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014, and applications are due at 4 p.m. on Thurs., June 20, 2013.

Colorado Creates provides critical financial support that helps produce and present arts and cultural activities throughout the state. Grant applicants must be Colorado 501c3 nonprofit organizations, departments of Colorado public colleges or universities, or government agencies. Applicants must have been providing public arts or cultural heritage programs in Colorado for at least three years by the application deadline. Individual artists or nonprofit organizations providing public arts or cultural heritage programming for less than three years may apply through an organizational fiscal agent.

Grant awards range from $4,000 to $10,000. Proposals are reviewed by panels based on three review criteria: artistic excellence and merit of proposed activities, community involvement and benefit from proposed activities, and implementation capacity. In fiscal year 2012-2013, 133 grants were awarded across the state totaling $1,048,500.

Colorado Creative Industries will host information sessions throughout the state for those interested in applying for a grant:

Fri., April 12, 3-4 p.m.

Pueblo Convention Center

Fortino Grand Hall C-West

320 Central Main Street

Mon., April 22, 3-4 p.m.

Museum of Western Colorado

Whitman Educational Center

248 S. 4th Street, Grand Junction

Tues., April 23, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Citizens Room

Centennial Hall

124 10th Street, Steamboat Springs

Tues., April 30, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Longmont (Location TBD – check website for updates)

Fri., May 3, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Parker Arts and Cultural Event Center (PACE)

Event Room

2000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker

Recorded webinar information sessions will be available at www.coloradocreativeindustries.com.

ABOUT COLORADO CREATIVE INDUSTRIES DIVISION

Colorado’s Creative Industries Division, Colorado’s state arts agency, is a division of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Established to capitalize on the immense potential for our creative sector to enhance economic growth in Colorado, the mission of Colorado Creative Industries is to promote, support and expand the creative industries to drive Colorado’s economy, grow jobs and enhance our quality of life.