The U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Service) Kofa National Wildlife Refuge has extended its temporary fire restrictions until October 31. Although Kofa normally allows campfires, the high fire danger, increased vegetation and warm weather warrant continuing the fire restrictions that have been in place since May. Fire conditions will be re-evaluated periodically and if the danger lessens, the restrictions may be lifted sooner.
In addition everyone should be mindful of the year-round fire restrictions on Imperial, Cibola, Bill Williams River and Havasu National Wildlife Refuges.
The Service is asking everyone to use extreme caution when visiting these National Wildlife Refuges, and to please abide by the following fire restrictions:
1. The building or using a fire, campfire or wood stove is prohibited. The use of commercially manufactured charcoal and gas grills are allowed. The use of lanterns, heating devices, candles, "tiki torches" and smudge pots is allowed provided they are placed at least 10 feet from any vegetation.
2. The use of all fireworks, flares, or other incendiary devices is prohibited.
3. Smoking is permitted only within vehicles.
These restrictions are in place on the Kofa, Imperial, Cibola, Bill Williams River and Havasu National
Wildlife Refuges along the Colorado River, and violations are punishable by fine and/or imprisonment.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 545 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field
stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
Visit the Services website at http://www.fws.gov.
