Small wildfire burning in Fremont County; Fire Ban issued
Story By: Bea Karnes
Source: KOAA
A fire, also being called The Ferguson Fire, is burning in Fremont County. The blaze is about 15 miles west of Canon City.
It's near the area where the Iron Mountain Fire destroyed many homes and some property back in 2002.
The fire was first reported about 11 A.M. on Monday. The fire is suspected to be human caused and is currently under investigation by the Fremont County Sheriff Department. The fire is burning through pinon, juniper and ponderosa pine at around 7,500 feet in elevation. The fire started on private property and then spread on to BLM public lands.
Higher humidity and overcast conditions has helped contain the fire, but this kind of weather often conceals hotspots, possibly making fire fighting more difficult. If the weather becomes warmer and less humid tomorrow, more smoke is expected.
The Deer Mountain Fire Protection District, Fremont County Sheriff, Colorado State Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the United States Forest Service are working together to contain the fire. No homes are threatened at this time; however firefighters were unable to save three outbuildings Monday.
The Fremont County Commissioners with the recommendation of Sheriff Beicker have adopted fire burning restrictions effective immediately. These restrictions are based on current conditions. Fremont County is currently in a Stage 1 Fire Ban/Restriction. The following activities are allowed during this stage of the ban:
- Open fires only at developed recreation sites or improved sites;
- Charcoal, propane or other contained fuel grill use;
- Open fires in metal fire rings in campgrounds and parks;
- Smoking only within an enclosed vehicle or building, at a developed recreation site, within a designated smoking area with an approved container for discarding of butts, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared or all flammable material;
- Use of an approved spark arrestor for use of any internal combustion engine, only if equipped with an approved spark arrestor;
- Outdoor welding and grinding with proper distance from combustible materials, as long as there is proper and appropriate fire protection and suppression equipment in place.
The following activities are prohibited during this state of the ban:
- All open fires, open burning and smoking if not specifically allowed above;
- All agricultural burning including but not limited to weeds, brush, grass;
- Use and/or discharge of fireworks or pyrotechnic devices,
- Use of any explosives;
- Open fires using rock ring burn pits;
- Recreational below ground cooking;
- Outdoor smoking except as specifically allowed above, including discard of cigarette butts at any location or from any vehicle.
