Larimer County adopts restrictions on open fires & fireworks

Just five days later than last year’s first fire restrictions (on April 5, 2011), the Board of Larimer County Commissioners today adopted fire restrictions on open fires, the use of fireworks and public fireworks displays beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, April 12 for the unincorporated areas of Larimer County.

The restrictions, which are set to expire on May 15, were adopted in conjunction with expected restrictions on the Roosevelt National Forest. 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 and 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 okay 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 ten feet in diameter at their private residence.

•No fireworks or fireworks displays are 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.

Any person who knowingly violates the restrictions commits a class 2 petty offense and can be fined. The County’s complete fire ordinance is available at: www.larimer.org/policies/.