Residents who live in and around the Lake Christine Fire burn scar area are advised to be aware of the high risk for flash flooding and mud and debris flows that could occur after a heavy rainfall. The precipitation, coupled with the burn scar, warmer temperatures and above average snowpack, is expected to produce a faster and heavier runoff period. 

Wildfires result in a loss of vegetation and leave the ground charred and unable to absorb water. This creates conditions for flooding. Even areas that are not traditionally flood-prone are at risk of flooding for up to several years after a wildfire. The prospect for a wetter than normal spring has emergency officials from Eagle, Pitkin, and Garfield Counties planning for mud and debris flows. This is in addition to the planning they do every spring for flooding that could occur in and around local creeks, rivers, and reservoirs after a higher-than-normal winter snowfall.
“The outlook through May indicates a higher chance of above normal precipitation over western Colorado, including the central mountains,” said Aldis Strautins, a Service Hydrologist for the National Weather Service.

“With the anticipated high water runoff, potential flooding and increased risk of debris flows, it is important that all of our public safety and support agencies work together to plan and coordinate our response before there is an emergent need. We also want to make sure our communities are aware of the above average risk for these events and prepare for them this year,” said Eagle County Sheriff James Van Beek. “The safety of our citizens, community and first responders is our highest priority and we want our citizens to be prepared
Residents near the Lake Christine burn scar area, regardless of the county they live in, are strongly encouraged to register for Pitkin Alert. When the National Weather Service issues a flash flood warning in the Lake Christine burn scar areas, Pitkin Alert will send out notifications to users who have registered for the weather alerts at www.pitkinalert.org. Registered users of EC Alert will also receive notifications.
Those who only want to receive information about the threat of flash floods, mudslides and debris flows from the Lake Christine burn scar, can text LCFLOOD to 888777.
People should remember to use caution around fast-moving streams and rivers, especially in a high runoff year. Those who live near the Lake Christine burn scar should be prepared to quickly move to higher ground or evacuate if necessary.

A map of the Lake Christine burn scar area can be found at http://bit.ly/LCFmap1 .
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Local emergency officials are hosting a community meeting to address the risk and how to be prepared. The meeting will be held on June 10, 2019 at 6 pm at Eagle County Annex building, 20 Eagle County Drive, El Jebel, CO 81623 .

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Pitkin County, Colorado – October 9, 2018 – Pitkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo has rescinded all Stage 1 fire restrictions for all lands in Pitkin County effective immediately Tuesday, October 9, 2018. Stage 1 fire restrictions were initially put in place on June 12, 2018, and, on June 29, 2018, were elevated to Stage 2. After a brief reprieve from restrictions in September, Sheriff DiSalvo, using data to guide the decision, reinstated Stage 1 fire restrictions on September 21, 2018.
 
The Energy Release Component (ERC) is the prevailing measurement used to determine when fire restrictions are put in place. Low ERCs, along with weather forecasts and the fire activity in the County guided Sheriff DiSalvo this week to remove the current Stage 1 fire restrictions.
 
“Although we are coming out of fire restrictions, I’m asking all Pitkin County residents and visitors to remain vigilant, adhere to fire safety rules and report all smoke and fire to 911 immediately,” said Sheriff Joe DiSalvo.
 
All Pitkin County citizens and visitors are reminded and encouraged to practice smart wildfire prevention behavior by observing the following campfire safety rules:
 

• Never leave a campfire unattended.
• Only use established campfire rings.
• Pick safe and proper campfire sites.
• Ensure that campfires are completely out and cool to the touch by using the “drown, stir, and feel” method.

 
If you have any questions, please contact your local fire district, USFS District Ranger or the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office at:
 
Aspen Fire Protection District -- 970-925-5532
Basalt & Rural Fire Protection District --  970-704-0675
Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District --  970-963-2491
Snowmass/Wildcat Fire Protection District --  970-923-2212
Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office --  970-920-5300
White River National Forest --  970-963-2255

 
Pitkin County,Colorado - September 21,2018 -After a recent period of hot and dry weather conditions, Pitkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo will reinstate Stage 1 fire restrictions for Pitkin County effective Friday, September 21,2018,@ 12:00 p.m. The decision was made collaboratively with Pitkin County fire chiefs and federal land management officials from the U.S. Forest Service - White River National Forest and Bureau of Land Management.
 
Announcing the return to Stage 1 fire restrictions in Pitkin County,Sheriff Joe DiSalvo said "After a series of meetings focused on the analysis of data obtained from current weather conditions, future weather forecasts and the state of current fuels in Pitkin County, I have made the decision to place all lands in Pitkin County back into Stage 1 restrictions. The current forecast is for dry and hot conditions to continue and I, along with my colleagues in the fire service feel that the safest way to prevent a human-caused fire start is to go back into fire restrictions."
 
The health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Pitkin County require that the use of open fires, equipment, and explosives be regulated in order to prevent wildfires under existing conditions.
 
The following open fire restrictions shall apply on all private and state lands in Pitkin County. The fire restrictions shall apply to the following persons and activities:

• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire except within a developed recreation site, or improved site to include a fire ring/pit. 
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, or building, at a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area of at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
•  Operating or using an internal or external combustion engine without an approved spark-arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order meeting either the USDA Forest Service Standards or appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practices.
•  Use of any personal fireworks or explosive requiring fuses or blasting caps as defined by Colorado Revised Statute 12-28-101 (8).

The restrictions stated above exclude the following:
 

• Persons with a valid written permit from the Pitkin County Sheriff, or the fire district within which the fire is to occur specifically authorizing the prohibited act.
• Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

• Any fires contained within a liquid fuel or gas fuel stove, fireplaces within buildings, charcoal grill fires at private residences, and fires located within permanent fire pits or fire grates to the extent those pits or grates are located in developed picnic grounds, campgrounds or recreational sites. 
  
• Burning of Irrigation ditches located within and completely surrounded by Irrigated farmlands, where such burning is necessary for crop survival, and a specific written permit has been granted for such burning, in advance, by the fire district having jurisdiction.
  
• Campfires or bonfires required in religious ceremonies, for which a Federal agency,the Fire District and the County Sheriff has granted a valid written permit in advance.
  
• Knowingly or recklessly burning during the restriction period is illegal and legal actions may be taken against individuals in violation under CRS 30-15-410 and Pitkin County Resolution 96. 

The temporary stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect until further notice.
 
If you have any questions please contact your local fire district, District Ranger or the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office at:
 
Aspen Fire Protection District - 970-925-5532
Basalt & Rural Fire Protection District - 970-704-0675 Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District -- 970-963-2491 Snowmass/Wildcat Fire Protection District - 970-923-2212 Pitkin County Sheriff's Office - 970-920-5300
White River National Forest - 970-963-2255