The Boulder County Sheriff’s Department enacted Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, effective at 12:01 a.m., on Tuesday, November 30, for unincorporated areas of western Boulder County.

The fire restrictions are being implemented due to the increasing fire danger, lack of moisture, and the forecast for above seasonal temperatures without precipitation. In addition, moderate to severe drought conditions exist throughout Colorado coupled with low resource availability that can impact the ability to obtain vital suppression resources if a fire erupts.

According to the Gilpin Sheriff’s Department, at 8 a.m. on Friday, November 19, 2021, Gilpin County entered a Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. With the lack of moisture in the past several months, no significant moisture seen in future forecasts, and the more frequent Red Flag Warnings, I believe the safety of our community warrants these measures be taken.

Due to dry and warm conditions and recent fire starts, the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests’ Clear Creek, Boulder and Canyon Lakes ranger districts along with the Pawnee National Grassland are enacting Stage 1 Fire Restrictions effective at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1.

The fire ban PROHIBITS: a. Building, maintaining, attending, or using an open fire, campfire, or stove fire. This includes charcoal barbecues and grills. b. EXCEPT: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire in constructed, permanent fire pits or fire grates within developed recreation sites, as specifically listed below in this Section (b)(i), and on private lands along with the use of portable stoves, lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum, pressurized liquid fuel or a fully enclosed (sheepherder type) stove with a ¼” spark arrester type screen is permitted.

The following developed and hosted recreation sites allow fire in constructed, eprmanent fire pits or fire grates, in accordance with USFS policies and closures.

1. Kelly Dahl Campground

2. Rainbow Lakes Campground

3. Camp Dick Campground

4. Peaceful Valley Campground

5. Meeker Park Overflow Campground

6. Olive Ridge Campground

7. Brainard Lake Recreation Area (Includes Pawnee Campground) c. Fireworks sales, use, and possession, including permissible fireworks. d. Shooting or discharge of firearms for recreational purposes except for hunting with a valid and current hunting license on public lands. e. Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 10 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials. f. 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. g. Welding or operating 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. h. Using an explosive. i. Parking motorized vehicles in grass or vegetated area that can come in contact with the underside of the vehicle.

For current fire, shooting and developed recreation site restrictions and seasonal closures for United States Forest Service properties, visit: www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/alertsnotices/? cid=fseprd533597.