EL PASO COUNTY — Last week's record-high temperatures have dried out grasses and other fuels, raising concerns when it comes to fire danger in parts of Southern Colorado.
Stage I Fire Restrictions went into effect Monday at noon for El Paso County. This order from the Sheriff's Office includes unincorporated parts of the county as well as the city of Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs.
The City of Colorado Springs has also enacted the same restrictions. Full guidelines - HERE.
A Stage 1 Fire Restriction prohibits all open fires and burning except for a few activities.
Permitted activities include fires that are contained in regulated outdoor spaces like fire pits or fire grates, with at least three feet of cleared space around them.
Both charcoal and gas grills may be used with the current level of restrictions.
However, the sale and use of fireworks are not allowed. Also, outdoor smoking should be limited and away from anything that is flammable.
Kevin Junglen, Deputy Fire Warden for El Paso County, wants everyone to consider this.
"If you're going to burn, make sure that you burn within those parameters we have, and that's using gas fueled fire rings or burning within a permanently constructed fire pit," said Junglen.
Current Stage I Fire Restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.
If you're found in violation, the fine could come at a cost of up to $600.
For Stage II Restrictions, that fine goes up to $1,000.
