Forest Service To Colorado Campers: Put Out Your Fires

Colorado campers need to be more careful about extinguishing campfires.

The U.S. Forest Service is warning that green springtime conditions may be making people complacent.

Authorities say rangers working in the national forests and grasslands around Colorado Springs and Pueblo had to put out 30 unattended or abandoned campfires this past weekend.

The Forest Service reports that in the past decade, half of the wildfires in this region were caused by careless human acts. That’s a much higher rate than in other western states.

Before a fire pit can be left safely, fire prevention officials say the ashes should be cool to the touch.