Thanks to rains in the past two weeks across the High Country, Stage 2 fire restrictions will be lifted for the White River National Forest starting Friday.

Stage 2 restrictions prohibit campfires, charcoal grills, outdoor smoking, fireworks, explosives, welding, using equipment such as chainsaws without a spark arrestor, and parking off roads except in parking lots or widely cleared areas.

Bill Hahnenberg, fire management officer for the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Unit, said, "We have taken a careful look at the weather and fuel moisture data from weather stations across the area. This information indicates we should lift the fire restrictions for the White River National Forest.

"However, the lower elevation areas remain very dry. The data supports keeping the areas managed by BLM at Stage 2 restrictions at this time."

White River National Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams said, "I urge the public to remain vigilant and be very careful with fires. While we feel current conditions allow us to lift fire restrictions at this time, another period of dry weather could see an increase in fire danger.

"Should conditions warrant, we could again implement fire restrictions across the White River National Forest," he added.

The White River joins the lifting of fire restrictions this week by Summit County Government and the towns of Silverthorne, Breckenridge, Frisco and Dillon.