Fires, Floods, Snow extremes
Breaking news about Wild Land Fires & Floods and snow storms in the Boulder, Colorado area.
More fire restrictions in Boulder open space &mt. parks
Jun 12th
City implements additional fire restrictions for Open Space & Mountain Parks
The City of Boulder has implemented a City Manager’s Rule banning fire and smoking on all Open Space & Mountain Parks properties. OSMP imposes these bans during extreme fire hazard conditions for public safety and resource protection. Fire danger is currently at a very high level.
“As we can tell from the tragic fire in Larimer County, and as we know all too well here in Boulder, dry conditions can be very dangerous,” said Eric Stone, division manager for OSMP. “We are asking the public to take all precautions possible to prevent a fire on open space and in our community.”
The ban includes smoking and the use of any cook stoves on OSMP lands. The sheriff’s office has already put a ban in place that makes it illegal to use charcoal grills or campfires anywhere in Boulder County. The new OSMP ban could be lifted if and when fire conditions change. Violators are subject to criminal prosecution with penalties up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
OSMP and firefighters would appreciate the cooperation from the public in this important matter.
For more information on OSMP, please call 303-441-3440 or visit www.osmp.org
Sale and use of fireworks prohibited in Boulder County
May 22nd
oday, the Boulder County Commissioners approved Sheriff Pelle’s recommendation to amend the current fire ban, which has been in effect since April 2, to prohibit the sale and use of all fireworks within all of unincorporated Boulder County. The new amendments to the fire ban were effective as of noon today.
All other aspects of the current ban remain in place, including the prohibition of open burning in the unincorporated mountains and foothills, including all areas west of the North Foothills Highway and Rabbit Mountain Open Space; areas north of the City of Boulder; west of Broadway Avenue through the City of Boulder; and west of the South Foothills Highway.
The decision to amend the ban was due in part to the predicted weather forecasts indicating higher than normal temperatures with lower than normal precipitation. The Fire Danger Rating continuously remains in the high to very high categories, with fire fuels continuing to dry out. As the Fourth of July holiday draws near, individuals begin to sell and use fireworks, which increase the potential for an ignition source and a large fire similar to the Hewlett Fire currently burning in Larimer County, or the Lower North Fork Fire in Jefferson County earlier this year.
Taking into consideration that firework vendors begin hiring temporary employees and purchasing fireworks for their stands, Sheriff Pelle wanted to address these concerns sooner than later. At this time, Boulder County had only received one application from a fireworks vendor to sell fireworks this year.
The fire ban will remain in effect until the hazardous fire conditions subside.
Anyone found in violation of the fire ban may be convicted of a class 2 petty offense and may be subject to a $500 fine. Higher fines may be imposed for subsequent offenses.
Boulder sheriff wants a fireworks ban in county
May 17th
Commissioners to review burn permit policies and open fire restrictions for unincorporated Boulder County
Public invited to comment at hearing scheduled for May 22 at 9:30 a.m.
Boulder County, Colo. – The Boulder County Commissioners will review recommended modifications to the county’s existing ordinance restricting open fires on “red flag” days at a public hearing on Tuesday.
The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office is recommending that the current ordinance be repealed and replaced with an updated policy that requires permitting for non-agricultural burns and further restricts open burning where the danger of forest or grass fires is found to be high. The new ordinance will address identification of red flag warning days, notification regarding open burning, and penalties for violating statute, ordinance, and requirements of the open burn permit system or the notification system.
“A relatively new state law requires counties to develop a permit system this year, for property owners wanting to burn slash and conduct open burning,” Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said. “The Sheriff’s Office has been working closely with the Department of Public Health to develop a ‘one stop’ permit process which incorporates both the requirements of the state regarding air quality, and our needs regarding safety.”
Part of the plan includes educational and training materials for the individuals seeking permits. It is being developed to be administered online. These proposed new permit requirements do not apply to agricultural burning. They would primarily affect people in unincorporated Boulder County wanting to burn slash piles.
Also to be considered is the recommendation that fire restrictions go into effect under an expanded list of circumstances that contribute to high fire danger, such as during High Wind Advisories. Currently the ordinance only specifies that all open burning, including agricultural burning, be prohibited when the National Weather Service issues a “Red Flag Warning” for fire danger.
“We have found that fires continue to grow out of control on days when the county is under a High Wind Watch or Advisory, and that common sense sometimes does not prevail when deciding whether or not to burn on windy days,” added Pelle. “We wish to include those windy weather conditions under the proposed new ordinance, as times when open burning would be illegal.”
Members of the public are invited to review the draft ordinance online and provide comments in writing or in person at the hearing.
The first reading for the ordinance will be held:
When: 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 22
What: Public hearing on an ordinance establishing an open burn permit system, notification process of open burns, and restrictions during red flag days, high wind watch days and high wind warning days
Where: Boulder County Courthouse, 3rd Floor, Commissioners’ Hearing Room, 1325 Pearl Street, Boulder
The hearing can be viewed online at: www.bouldercounty.org/stream.
A copy of the draft ordinance is available at: www.bouldercounty.org (search by keyword “ordinances.”)
On a related note, the Sheriff’s Office will be presenting an amendment to the fire ban currently in effect for the mountain areas of Boulder County at the Commissioners’ next business meeting. The proposed amendment will include a provision to extend the ban on the sale and use of fireworks to all of unincorporated Boulder County. The public is invited to attend and comment on the proposed changes at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 22 in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room.
