The Board of Larimer County Commissioners rescinded the ban on contained fires and continued the restrictions on open fires and the use of fireworks beginning July 17 for the unincorporated areas of Larimer County. The restrictions mean that the public can now have fires in areas with permanent fire structures such as campgrounds. Today’s restrictions were based on a recommendation from Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith.
Contained open fires are not restricted at this time. Because contained open fires are not restricted, these are restrictions, not a ban.
· Today’s restrictions mean that no open fires are allowed, no open camp or cooking fires, only “contained” open fires such as those in camp stoves and grills using gas or pressurized liquid or those in permanently constructed, stationary, metal or masonry fireplaces such as those fireplaces located in campgrounds and masonry or metal fire pits.
– Smoking in the open is not allowed under these restrictions.
– It is OK to operate combustion engines with spark-arresting devices, properly installed and in working order.
– Citizens who live in unincorporated areas of Larimer County can operate a charcoal grill on a non-combustible surface at least 10 feet in diameter at their private residence.
– No use of fireworks is allowed under these restrictions.
– No agricultural burning is allowed under these restrictions.
– No open campfires are allowed under these restrictions.
The sheriff can exempt items from these restrictions based on his pre-approval and inspection.