Boulder County enacting Level 1 Fire Restrictions
Forecast for hot temperatures and dry conditions has increased fire danger
Boulder County, Colo. - Sheriff Joe Pelle has enacted Level 1 Fire Restrictions, effective immediately, today, Tuesday, June 12, for
western Boulder County. The fire restrictions are being implemented due to
increasing fire danger, lack of moisture, and the forecast for hot
temperatures. We also expect to see an increase in recreational activities in
western Boulder County during the summer months. In addition local and regional
fire suppression resources have also been committed to large fires in Colorado
and across the nation.
The fire restrictions include the mountain areas
of Boulder County. The mountain areas include any and all unincorporated areas
of the county:
- West
of CO Highway 93 (CO-93), from its intersection with the southern boundary
of Boulder County until, and including, its intersection with CO Highway
119 (CO-119);
- West
of Broadway Avenue in the City of Boulder, from its intersection with
CO-119 until, and including, its intersection with US Highway 36 (US-36);
- West
of US-36, from its intersection with Broadway Avenue until its
intersection with the northern boundary of Boulder County;
- West
of the western boundary of the Rabbit Mountain Open Space until, and
including, US-36; and;
- All
of the Rabbit Mountain Open Space property.
A map depicting the areas of Boulder County
affected by the fire ban is included below.
The fire ban PROHIBITS:
- Building,
maintaining, attending, or using an open fire, campfire or stove fire
(including charcoal barbecues and grills) on public land;
- Use
of all personal fireworks;
- Shooting or discharging firearms
for recreational purposes, except for hunting with a valid and current
hunting license on public land;
- Smoking,
except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or
while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or
cleared of all flammable materials;
- Operating
a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE-approved spark arrester properly
installed and in effective working order. A chemical, pressurized
fire-extinguisher must be kept with the operator, and at least one
round-point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches must be
readily available for use;
- Welding
or operating an acetylene or other open-flame torch, except in cleared
areas of at least 10 feet in diameter, and with a chemical, pressurized
fire-extinguisher immediately available for use; and
- Using
an explosive.
The fire ban ALLOWS:
- Building,
maintain, attending or using a fire in constructed, permanent fire pits or
fire grates, within developed recreation sites (see below), and on private
lands;
- The
use of portable stoves; lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum, or
pressurized liquid fuel; or a fully enclosed (sheepherder-type) stove with
a 1/4" spark arrester-type screen.
The following United States Forest Service
(USFS) developed recreation sites are located within Boulder County and are
exempted from the fire restrictions, in accordance with USFS policies and
closures, when open and staffed: Kelly Dahl Campground, Rainbow Lakes
Campground, Camp Dick Campground, Peacefully Valley Campground, Meeker Park
Overflow Campground, Olive Ridge Campground and the Brainard Lake Recreation
Area, which includes the Pawnee Campground.
For current fire, shooting and developed
recreation site restrictions and seasonal closures for USFS properties, visit: www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd533597#boulder.
Anyone found in violation of the fire ban may be
convicted of a class two petty offense, and may be subject to up to a $1,000
fine, in addition to any possible civil penalties. Higher fines may be imposed
for subsequent offenses.
The fire restrictions do not affect open fires
within incorporated cities and towns; however, residents and visitors must
comply with applicable ordinances and regulations in their respective cities
and towns. The fire restrictions will be in effect until Sheriff Pelle finds
that the hazardous conditions have subsided.
Colorado state statutes authorize counties to
impose fire restrictions "to a degree and in a manner that the Board of
County Commissioners deems necessary to reduce the danger of wildfires within
those portions of the unincorporated areas of the county where the danger of
forest or grass fires is found to be high based on competent evidence."
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