Posted on: September 1st, 2011

Please be aware that 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. The ban goes into effect today at noon.

This includes all areas west of Broadway in the City of Boulder, and includes all 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 below).

During the fire ban, open burning is permitted only under the following circumstances:

 

*  Fire contained within liquid or gas fuel stoves

• Camp fires in U.S. Forest Service improved/maintained campgrounds that are currently open to the public
• Charcoal grill fires on private property

All other open fires and the use of any kind of fireworks or model rockets are banned.

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.

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