Despite the 1,600-acre Bircher Fire raging across the Mancos Valley, fire danger at the highest elevations of southwestern Colorado has been eased by recent sporadic moisture, according to a press release from the San Juan National Forest.

Fire danger at lower elevations, including Cortez, remains high.

To accommodate these circumstances, fire restrictions on San Juan National Forest and San Juan Field Office-BLM lands have been eased as follows:

• Open fires are again allowed inside fire grates in developed campgrounds. Only gas stoves, lanterns or grills that use pressurized liquid with a regulated flame (such as propane fuel) are allowed outside of developed recreation sites and campgrounds. However, campfires will be allowed in two high-elevation backcountry areas, the Lizard Head and Weminuche wilderness areas.

• Smoking is allowed only inside an enclosed vehicle or building, within a developed recreation site, or in a barren area cleared of flammable material.

• Chainsaws may now be used with the following safety precautions: They must be equipped with properly functioning spark arrestors, and be accompanied by a chemically pressurized fire extinguisher and a shovel.

• Explosives, welding, operating a torch with an open flame and fireworks remain banned.

Violators risk fines. For more information, please contact the Southwest Colorado Public Lands Center at 247-4874.

To report a wildfire on public lands, call the Durango Interagency Fire Dispatch Center at 385-1324.