Citing continued dry conditions, numerous southern Colorado counties have enacted some form of fire restrictions.
Below is a list of southern Colorado counties as well as their current fire restriction level:
- El Paso: Stage 1
- Pueblo: None
- Fremont: Stage 1
- Elbert: Stage 2
- Douglas: Stage 1
- Teller: Burn restrictions (beneath Stage 1)
- Huerfano Stage 2
- Las Animas Stage 1
- Prowers: None
- Otero: None
- Bent: None
- Custer: None
- Baca: Some burn restrictions within towns of Springfield and Walsh
- Park: Burn Ban essentially a Stage 1
- Lincoln: Level 2 restrictions which is essentially a Stage 1
Stage 1 Restrictions prohibit the following:
- No building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire without a permit EXCEPT in Forest Service developed campgrounds or picnic grounds. The following actions are permitted outside a Forest Service developed campground (dispersed camping): petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices providing such devices meet the fire underwriter’s specification for safety.
- No smoking unless 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 material
- No operation welding, acetylene, or other torch with an open flame
- No operation or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order
Stage 2 Restrictions prohibit the following:
- No building, maintaining, attending or using open fire, campfires or stove fires…ANYWHERE! It makes no difference whether you are inside or outside a Forest Service developed campground.
- No smoking unless in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or within a three foot diameter cleared to mineral soil
Source: KOAA News5. See more at KOAA.com
