EL PASO COUNTY — On Monday morning, Sheriff Bill Elder has downgraded stage two fire restrictions to stage one fire restrictions for all of the unincorporated areas of El Paso County.
Stage one fire restrictions will go into effect immediately and the following are prohibited:
- Open burning, excepting fires and campfires within permanently constructed fire grates in developed campgrounds and picnic grounds; charcoal grills and wood-burning stoves at private residences in areas cleared of all flammable materials.
- The sale or use of fireworks.
- Outdoor smoking except within 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.
The Colorado Springs Fire Department has rescinded the burn ban order, which was placed on August 24, and has moved into a burn restriction order.
The following are prohibited in the City of Colorado Springs:
- Recreational fires
- Bonfires
- Open or prescribed burns
- Outdoor smoking in ALL CITY PARKS AND OPEN SPACES
- Small internal combustion engines operated without a properly installed, maintained, and functioning spark arrestor
- Recreational fireworks/devices requiring ignition such as sparklers, snakes, aerials, comets, flares, flyers, fountains, missiles, mortars, spinners, punks, rockets, shells, etc. (PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES)
- Trash/rubbish burning (PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES)
The following acts are ALLOWED within the City of Colorado Springs:
- Select pyrotechnic or commercial activities WHEN PERMITTED by Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD)
- Hot work activities such as welding, brazing, blasting, and torching in forested or grassy areas WHEN PERMITTED by CSFD
- Model rockets WHEN PERMITTED by CSFD
- Outdoor smoking ONLY in designated areas and disposal of smoking materials must be in a non-combustible container with a secured lid (SMOKING IS PROHIBITED IN ALL CITY OWNED PARKS AND OPEN SPACES)
Outdoor fireplaces and outdoor appliances:
- Shall maintain a minimum clearance of 15’ between the fireplace or appliance and all combustible structures, fences, and/or vegetation (No clearance requirements for permanent outdoor fireplaces or appliances installed in accordance with the currently adopted International Mechanical Code.)
- Shall ONLY be fueled by wood, pellets, charcoal, liquid propane (LPG), or natural gas
- Shall utilize spark arrestors when fueled by wood, pellets, or charcoal
- Shall constantly be attended by a capable adult with a means of complete extinguishment
For more information in regards to burn restrictions that are in effect in Colorado Springs, click here.
