Fire restrictions in effect for Boulder County

Boulder Ranger District Announces Fire Restrictions. Northern Colorado Counties are drying out but no bans yet.

A good resource for the most current bans in effect can be found on the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control’s web site. https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dfpc/fire-bans-and-restrictions

BOULDER, Colo. (Boulder Ranger District) – Stage I Fire Restriction went into effect on June 5 for all Boulder County portions of the Boulder Ranger District of the Roosevelt National Forests due to a forecast of dry, warm conditions.

The Stage 1 fire restrictions limit where and what type of fires visitors can have, along with other restrictions. They are in place until October 1, 2017, or rescinded, whichever is first.

Within the fire restriction area, forest visitors cannot:

· Build or maintain a fire or use charcoal, coal, or wood stoves, except within a developed recreation site (e.g., campgrounds where fees are charged).
· Smoke, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while in an area at least three feet in diameter cleared of all flammable materials.
· Operate 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.
· Weld or operate 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.
· Use explosives, including fireworks.
· Discharge a firearm EXCEPT a person possessing a valid Colorado hunting license lawfully involved in hunting and harvesting game.
Violation of any of these provisions of Stage 1 fire restrictions could result in a maximum fine of $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for more than six months, or both. If responsible for causing a wildfire, one could be held accountable for suppression costs of that fire.

Forest Service staff will continue to monitor conditions and consider the variety of options to address those conditions, including additional restrictions if weather remains dry and lessening or rescinding restriction if a rainy weather pattern starts.

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