Sheriff's office enacts increased fire restrictions for western Boulder County

NEWS RELEASE
BOULDER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
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Sheriff Joe Pelle is enacting Level 2 fire restrictions, effective at noon on Friday, for western Boulder County. The increased fire restrictions are being implemented due to increasing fire danger, lack of moisture and the forecast for hot temperatures.

In addition, we are still concerned about the firefighting and law enforcement resources while we have the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and continue to take proactive measures to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our residents and first responders.

The fire restrictions include the mountain areas of Boulder County. The mountain areas include any and all unincorporated areas of the county:

• West of Colo. 93, from its intersection with the southern boundary of Boulder County until, and including, its intersection with Colo. 19;
• West of Broadway Avenue in the city of Boulder, from its intersection with Colo. 119 until, and including, its intersection with U.S. 36;
• West of U. S. 36, from its intersection with Broadway Avenue until its intersection with the northern boundary of Boulder County;
• West of the western boundary of the Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain until, and including, U.S. 36; and;
• All of the Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain property.

The fire ban prohibits:

• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire on private and public lands. This includes charcoal grills and barbecues, coal- and wood-burning stoves and sheepherder’s stoves, and includes use in developed camping and picnic grounds.
• Fireworks sales, use, and possession, including permissible fireworks.
• Shooting or discharge of firearms for recreational purposes.
• Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3 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 kept with the operator and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use.
• Using an explosive. This includes but is not limited to fuses or blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, and tracers or incendiary ammunition.
• Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame outdoors.
• Possessing or using a motor vehicle off established roads, motorized trails or established parking areas, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the vehicle.

The fire ban allows:

• Smoking 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.
• Devices using pressurized liquid or gas (stoves, grills or lanterns) that include shut-off valves are permitted when used in an area at least 3 feet or more from flammable material such as grasses or pine needles.
• Shooting or discharge of firearms for hunting, with a valid and current hunting license on public lands.
• Operating a chainsaw with 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.

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.

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.

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