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Sheriff says Grand County remains out of countywide fire restrictions after science-based review
Summary
Sheriff Brett Shortland and Fire Management Officer Paul Monteer told commissioners that Grand County does not meet the agency matrix for countywide fire restrictions this week, though neighboring federal units have limited areas under Stage 1 restrictions; officials emphasized weekly interagency coordination and local fuel-moisture data.
Sheriff Brett Shortland told the Board of County Commissioners that Grand County will not impose countywide fire restrictions at this time after the weekly review of scientific indicators.
"We base our fire restrictions based on the scientific data," Shortland said, describing a Monday coordination call with federal partners and a regional meeting used to develop a unified stance. Paul Monteer, the Sheriff's Office fire management officer, walked commissioners through the technical matrix that drives decisions — including thousand‑hour fuel moisture, live‑fuel condition, drought indicators and resource availability — and said the county uses both physically measured fuel moisture and modeled indices.
Monteer said the county uses a multi‑factor matrix and needs multiple criteria to be met before recommending restrictions. He noted there have been human‑caused fire starts this season but that most have not spread because current fuels and weather conditions do not indicate high spread potential.
Shortland and Monteer emphasized coordination with federal partners: the Med Bow/route National Forest has moved some areas into Stage 1 restrictions, which are enforceable by federal officers, while Grand County remains out of restrictions; they said deputies will not enforce federal restrictions. The speakers urged residents to register for evacuation alerts and to consult the county's published evacuation maps.
The board did not vote on an ordinance or resolution at the meeting; commissioners acknowledged the county's approach and asked staff to continue weekly monitoring and public messaging.
