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Forest officials remind visitors of proper campfire safety

Abandoned campfire sparked wildfire burning near Twin Lakes, USFS determines
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PUEBLO, Colo. (KOAA) — With visitation to the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands (PSICC) on the rise, forest officials are reminding visitors about proper campfire safety.

Over Memorial Day weekend, PSICC says there were more than 20 abandoned campfires.

While patrolling, PSICC says they found found four wildfires, one of which was caused by lightning, and the others were human caused. They say these fires were contained quickly.

PSICC says if you gather around a campfire, make sure to do the following:

  • build your campfire in an area cleared of vegetation
  • never abandon or leave a campfire unattended
  • always have plenty of water and a shovel nearby
  • extinguish your campfire by drowning, stirring and repeating until it’s the consistency of a mud pie and cold to the touch

If you come across an abandoned campfire, PSICC asks you to extinguish it if possible. You can also report it by calling their non-emergency number at (719)553-1400.

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Backlash in Colorado as National Park Signs Urge Visitors to Report 'Negative' Views About America

The signage went up at National Parks sites nationwide per executive order, but Amache and Sand Creek descendants want history preserved. Just days after the new signs, a small act of defiance surfaced at Amache National Historic Site.

Backlash in Colorado as National Park Signs Urge Visitors to Report 'Negative' Views About America

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