Fire officials in the City of Boulder are reminding residents that the Boulder County fire ban imposed today, March 23, applies to all city residences and areas within the City of Boulder limits.

Sheriff Joe Pelle enacted a ban on open burning and the discharge of fireworks in unincorporated Boulder County because of hazardous fire conditions in the area. The ban remains in effect until further notice.

The City of Boulder already has an ordinance in place that prohibits any open burning within the city limits or on city property outside city limits. However, with the county fire ban, the use of charcoal-type grills in areas other than private residences and the use of any device or item that could cause an open flame or heat source for a fire are also prohibited. This includes model rockets that use an ignitable-type fuel for operation.

Open burning is defined in local ordinance as bonfires, campfires or the burning of any trash, paper, rubbish, wood, weeds, brush, plants or other combustible or flammable material. Outdoor portable-type fireplaces such as chimineas or outdoor fire pits are illegal to operate within the city limits. Penalties can include criminal charges, fines, court costs, restitution, jail and insurance consequences.

City code prohibits use of fireworks, of any kind, anywhere in the city and prohibits possession of fireworks in any park, parkway, recreation area or open space. Amnesty will be granted to anyone wanting to discard unused fireworks brought to any Boulder fire station. To report fireworks violations, residents should call the non-emergency dispatch line at 303-441-3333. To report a fire, always call 9-1-1 and provide dispatchers with a location.