Posts tagged fire ban
Boulder County Fire Ban: see details
Sep 2nd
Sheriff Pelle orders outdoor fire ban
Thursday, September 01, 2011
Contact: Jay Stalnacker, Fire Management Officer (303) 441-3642
Sheriff Joe Pelle has enacted a fire ban, which restricts open burning and prohibits the discharge of any and all fireworks and model rockets in the unincorporated mountain areas of Boulder County.
This includes all unincorporated areas west of U.S. 36 (North Foothills Highway), and west of Highway 93 (South Foothills Highway) as well as Rabbit Mountain Open Space (see map).
During the fire ban, open burning is permitted only under the following circumstances:
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Fire contained within liquid or gas fuel stoves
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Camp fires in U.S. Forest Service improved/maintained campgrounds that are currently open to the public*(see separate news release from the U.S. Forest Service)
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Charcoal grill fires on private property
Charcoal grills at county open space shelters on mountain properties are also closed during this ban. This includes, but is not limited to, Rabbit Mountain, Heil Valley Ranch, Hall Ranch, Betasso Preserve, and Walker Ranch.
The ban will remain in effect until the hazardous fire conditions subside. Anyone found in violation of the 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.
Fire ban rationale
The Boulder County foothills have continued to dry out after months of moderate moisture. Currently, Boulder County has a high fire danger rating, as determined by the National Weather Service National Fire Danger rating System. This is due to a combination of dry fuels, hot and dry weather and an increase in regional wildland fire activity.
It is anticipated that with the continued late summer and early fall drying season and the expected beginning of the Chinook winds, Boulder County will continue to have a high fire danger rating.
State statutes authorize counties to impose fire restrictions when the threat of wildfire has been determined by credible and quantifiable data, to be “high.” The Sheriff’s Office relies upon data from the U.S. Forest Service, the National Weather Service, and local experience with fire conditions to make this determination.
*Note: as of Sep. 2, fire restrictions are also in place on portions of National Forest System lands in Boulder and Larimer Counties in support of the fire ban by Boulder County. (Read the news release from the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland)
Detective Commander Rick Brough
Boulder County Sheriff’s Office
303-441-3631
City of Boulder Briefs
Jul 1st
City of Boulder parks affected by Boulder County fire ban
Due to a Boulder County issued fire ban on areas west of the North and South Foothills highways and areas east of the Peak to Peak Highway, users of the following City of Boulder parks are prohibited from using park grills until further notice:
● Chautauqua Park – 9th Street and Baseline Road
● Eben G. Fine Park – 3rd Street and Arapahoe Avenue
● North Boulder Park – 9th Street and Dellwood Avenue
● Harlow Platts Park – 1360 Gillaspie Drive
● Foothills Community Park – 800 Cherry Ave.
Gas grills are allowed at these parks with a permit.
For more information, visit www.BoulderParks-Rec.org, or call Shelly Ruspakka, Parks and Recreation, at 303-413-7214.
Municipal Court to be closed from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, July 8
The Boulder Municipal Court will be closed from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 8, for a staff meeting.
Fire ban in effect for city
Mar 23rd
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.
