Teller County upgrades to Stage II Fire Ban

TELLER COUNTY — The Teller County Board of County Commissioners voted Thursday to adopt a resolution to upgrade to a Stage II Fire Ban due to continuing dry conditions.

The Commissioners say the elevated restrictions are necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

The new restrictions are in effect immediately.

Under the Stage II restrictions, open burning is not permitted on private and public lands, except for the following exceptions:

• The ban does not restrict the use of gas, liquid, or propane barbecues, or gas stoves or lanterns that are at least 10 feet away from combustible walls or roofs, or other combustible materials
• The resolution also does not restrict using chainsaws, provided approved fire extinguishing equipment is available
• It does not restrict the use of indoor fireplaces
• It does not restrict the use of fused explosives on designated mining property, or by special permit
• Smoking is limited to enclosed vehicles
• Burning of irrigation ditches is prohibited, except for ditches located in and completely surrounded by irrigated farmlands, where burning is necessary for crop survival

The Teller County Sheriff's Office also offered a reminder that the burning of rubbish is not permitted in the county at any time. That includes paper, garbage, trash, useless waste, rejected or unused materials, organic or inorganic refuse, rejected or waste foods, offal, and tires.

Open burning normally regulated by a Teller County Burn Permit is also not allowed under the new fire ban.