Summit County will be moving out of Stage 1 fire restrictions beginning Friday, July 30.
The move was made effective at the Summit Board of County Commissioners regular meeting Tuesday, July 27, after an update given by Summit County Undersheriff Peter Haynes during the commissioners’ work session meeting earlier that day.
During his update, Haynes reported that surrounding counties and the U.S. Forest Service were all coming out of Stage 1 fire restrictions Friday and that Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons recommended Summit County do the same.
Summit County Commissioner Tamara Pogue asked whether all of the county’s towns were on board with the decision, to which Summit County Manager Scott Vargo reported the managers from Blue River, Silverthorne, Breckenridge, Frisco and Dillon were all in agreement.
Photo by Hugh Carey / Summit Daily archives
The Summit Board of County Commissioners voted to return to Stage 1 fire restrictions during a special meeting Tuesday, July 6. The new restrictions will go into effect Friday, July 9.
Commissioner Tamara Pogue said the move to lower restrictions comes on the recommendation of Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons, who advocated for the change following conversations with officials throughout the region and recent changes to the county’s four restriction criteria: energy release component, fuel moisture thresholds, weather patterns and the potential for human-caused ignitions.
“We continue to base our decisions on data and science because we feel that’s the best way to let folks know we’re making wise decisions,” Pogue said. “When folks have confidence in our decisions, they’re more likely to follow those decisions.”
The trailhead sign for Quandary Peak is pictured May 21. The 14,265-foot peak is one of the most popular 14ers in Colorado, attracting hikers, climbers and skiers year-round, which has led to the two trailhead parking lots overflowing on busy days and creating traffic issues for nearby residents.
Photo by Jason Connolly / Jason Connolly Photography
At the Summit Board of County Commissioners meeting Tuesday, June 29, county staff laid out potential short-term solutions to the board and to officials from the town of Breckenridge to help mitigate some of the overcrowding and parking issues at Quandary Peak and surrounding trailheads. Some of the solutions won’t be implemented until later in the summer or even after Labor Day, frustrating a couple of the commissioners.
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Local officials are pushing for the implementation of new pretrial services in the community, meant to provide supervision for individuals released on bond, combat financial inequities in the court system and better ensure those accused.