DENVER (KDVR) — As fire danger increases across Colorado, multiple counties have enacted fire bans ahead of the July Fourth holiday. This includes Boulder, Gilpin and Elbert counties.
Boulder County now has Stage 1 fire restrictions in effect. The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office said the fire restrictions are being implemented because of increasing fire danger, lack of moisture and the forecast for hot temperatures.
On Monday, crews were out posting bright red signs for travelers venturing into the mountains for pre-holiday celebrations.
The fire restrictions prohibit activities including:
- Open fires, campfires or stove fire on public lands, which includes charcoal barbecues and grills
- Fireworks sales, use and possession, including permissible fireworks
- Shooting or discharge of firearms
- Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least 10 feet in diameter cleared of all flammable materials
- Parking motorized vehicles in grass or vegetated areas that can come in contact with the underside of the vehicle
Campfires and charcoal grilling are only allowed in constructed, permanent fire pits or fire grates within developed recreation sites and on private lands.
‘Be careful’: Fire danger warned on week of July 4th
For the city of Boulder, this is business as normal, because the city has stricter regulations than the county.
“To put it lightly, open burning is prohibited within the city limits of Boulder,” said David Lowrey, chief fire marshal with Boulder Fire-Rescue.
Lowrey said although the vegetation around Boulder is still green and the city has been experiencing intermittent afternoon showers, this does not mean fire danger is any less of a threat.
“We’re not sitting horrible right now, but you know, we’ve gotten hot very, very quickly. We keep experiencing high winds right now,” Lowrey said. “We also have been experiencing a lot of growth in our vegetation that’s starting to dry out, right, so everyone just needs to be careful. Please. I mean it’s … we’re moving into a critical time is what I would say.”
The fire restrictions will be in effect until the hazardous conditions have subsided.
Rachel Saurer
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