Stage 1 Fire Restrictions In Effect For Western Boulder County

BOULDER COUNTY, CO — New fire restrictions are set to take effect Tuesday for unincorporated areas of western Boulder County.

The ban has been implemented due to increasing fire danger, lack of moisture, and the forecast for above seasonal temperatures, the Boulder County Sheriff's Office said.

"These fire restrictions are for unincorporated Boulder County," the office said in a news release. "If you live within, or are visiting an incorporated city or town, please check with that city or town directly to see what, if any, fire restrictions they may have in place.

Many Colorado counties, including Boulder County, face drought conditions.

The fire ban prohibits:

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using an open fire, campfire, or stove fire. This includes charcoal barbecues and grills.
2. Except: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire in constructed, permanent fire pits or fire grates within developed recreation sites, as specifically listed below in this Section (b)(i), and on private lands along with the use of portable stoves, lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum, pressurized liquid fuel or a fully enclosed (sheepherder type) stove with a ¼” spark arrester type screen is permitted.
   1. The following developed and hosted recreation sites allow fire in constructed, permanent fire pits or fire grates, in accordance with USFS policies and closures.
      1. Kelly Dahl Campground
      2. Rainbow Lakes Campground
      3. Camp Dick Campground
      4. Peaceful Valley Campground
      5. Meeker Park Overflow Campground
      6. Olive Ridge Campground
      7. Brainard Lake Recreation Area (Includes Pawnee Campground)
   2. Fireworks sales, use, and possession, including permissible fireworks.
   3. Shooting or discharge of firearms for recreational purposes except for hunting with a valid and current hunting license on public lands.
   4. Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 10 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
   5. Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and in effective working order, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher kept with the operator and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use.
   6. Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter and in possession of a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher.
   7. Using an explosive.
   8. Parking motorized vehicles in grass or vegetated area that can come in contact with the underside of the vehicle.

Anyone found in violation of the fire restrictions could 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, the sheriff's office said. Higher fines may be imposed for subsequent offenses.