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County sheriff, district ranger decline East End campground fire restriction after review
Summary
San Miguel County officials followed up on a request to accelerate countywide fire restrictions ahead of the Bluegrass Festival; the district ranger reported campground fire metrics in the East End were not at trigger levels, so county staff decided not to impose a separate East End restriction but will monitor conditions and revisit next week.
San Miguel County officials said the county followed up with the U.S. Forest Service district ranger about whether to accelerate a fire restriction for the East End ahead of a large Bluegrass Festival, and the ranger told county staff that current campground metrics did not meet the trigger thresholds for campground fire restrictions.
Sheriff's office staff had asked whether it made sense to impose restrictions early because of the expected influx of visitors. County staff said they met with district ranger Megan Eno, who told them that "the elevation is much higher, the temps are cooler, and the fuel moistures are up," and that campground fire restrictions were not being implemented in the East End.
County staff said East End ERCs (energy release components) were in the mid‑80s, well below the 96% threshold discussed as a trigger in earlier briefings. Staff cautioned that imposing a restriction only for unincorporated, non‑federal East End lands would create a confusing, checkerboard enforcement situation where neighboring parcels would be subject to different rules.
Emergency management actions and outreach
San Miguel County emergency manager Shannon Armstrong is coordinating communication with event organizers and the public. Commissioners and staff asked Armstrong to use the county emergency alert system to notify festival attendees and residents about fire risk and current restrictions; Armstrong reported there is already coordination and outreach to the Bluegrass Festival to educate attendees on fire safety.
Next steps
County staff said they would revisit the question with the district ranger on Tuesday morning and update the Board if fire‑restriction trigger points change. No formal county restrictions were adopted at the meeting.
Ending
Commissioners thanked sheriff's office personnel and emergency management for rapid response and outreach work; staff will continue to monitor ERC and fuel moisture metrics and will notify the Board if conditions meet the county or federal trigger points for campground or county fire restrictions.
