Stage 1 fire restrictions begin around northern Colorado in several locations

Multiple Stage 1 fire restrictions have been posted around northern Colorado and the northern Front Range mountains on Tuesday ahead of the July 4 holiday and weekend, Boulder County and National Forest officials said.

The Boulder County Sheriff's Office enacted Stage 1 fire restrictions for unincorporated areas in west Boulder County on Monday.

The National Forest Service enacted Stage 1 fire restrictions for multiple counties in northern Colorado on Tuesday.

In Larimer and Weld counties, the National Forest Service enacted Stage 1 fire restrictions for the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland. The two National Forests span across four counties (Gilpin, Clear Creek, Boulder and Larimer). The National Grassland is in northern Weld County.

The fire restrictions are implemented due to an increase in fire danger, lack of moisture, and weather forecasts calling for hot temperatures, the agencies said.

“When we consider fire restrictions, we consult with our county partners and rely on environmental factors to assess a variety of conditions, including fuel moistures and long-term weather forecasts," Arapaho Roosevelt National Forest Fire and Aviation Staff Officer Cody Peel said.

“National Forest visitors can still have campfires in Forest Service developed recreation sites, but Forest visitors need to make sure to never leave a campfire unattended. Keep all campfires contained within the agency provided metal or concrete fire rings and always fully extinguish the campfire with large amounts of water, until all of the coals are out cold.”

The fire restrictions include these areas in unincorporated Boulder County:

• West of CO Highway 93 (CO-93), from its intersection with the southern boundary of Boulder County until, and including, its intersection with CO Highway 119 (CO-119);
• West of Broadway Avenue in the City of Boulder, from its intersection with CO-119 until, and including, its intersection with US Highway 36 (US-36);
• West of US-36, from its intersection with Broadway Avenue until its intersection with the northern boundary of Boulder County;
• West of the western boundary of the Rabbit Mountain Open Space until, and including, US-36; and;
• All of the Rabbit Mountain Open Space property.

The following hosted and fee-charged recreation sites allow fire in constructed, permanent fire pits or fire grates, in accordance with USFS policies and closures:

• Kelly Dahl Campground
• Rainbow Lakes Campground
• Camp Dick Campground
• Peaceful Valley Campground
• Meeker Park Campground
• Olive Ridge Campground
• Brainard Lake Recreation Area (Includes Pawnee Campground)

The Stage 1 fire restrictions set in place for National Forest and Grassland lands prohibit the following:

• Igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes) outside of a developed campground or recreation site with established forest service fire rings or grills.
• Smoking, except 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 materials.
• Operating a chainsaw without an effective and properly installed spark arrestor, a fire extinguisher kept with the operator, and a shovel.
• Blasting, welding, or operating a torch with an open flame without being in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and having a fire extinguisher kept with the operator.
• Fireworks are always prohibited on National Forest System lands.

The following activities and uses on National Forest and Grassland lands are allowed under Stage 1 fire restrictions:

• Open fires contained in permanently constructed metal or concrete fire pits and/or charcoal grills that the Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed campgrounds and picnic areas.
• Liquid or gas fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices with on/off switches on surfaces clear of flammable vegetation.

• Anyone found in violation of the fire ban in Boulder County may be convicted of a civil infraction and may be subject to a $500 fine, in addition to any possible civil penalties. Higher fines may be imposed for subsequent offenses. For more information on fire restrictions on USFS land within Boulder County, visit their website.

• Violation of Stage 1 fire restrictions on National Forest and National Grassland lands could result in a maximum fine of $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for more than six months, or both. If responsible for causing a wildfire, one could be held accountable for suppression costs of that fire. Be sure to visit the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland’s Know Before You Go page.