Less than a week after entering Stage 1 fire restrictions for the first time this summer, Summit County will implement Stage 2 restrictions this week. Fire danger has climbed from very high to extreme, according to Matt Benedict, wildland division chief with Breckenridge-based Red, White & Blue Fire. Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons, whose role means he is also the county’s fire warden, recommended the stricter fire restrictions to the Summit County commissioners. When he recommended the county enter Stage 1 restrictions last week, he added that if conditions did not improve, he would likely recommend Stage 2 restrictions this week. “As we all know, nothing really improved over the week,” FitzSimons said. “It got hotter and drier and windy here.” Read more ...