Jefferson County, CO. – Effective at 12:00 a.m. on Friday, August 5, 2016, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office lifted its Stage II Fire Ban and re-enacted Stage I Fire Restrictions for all unincorporated Jefferson County west of C470, Colorado Highway 93, and Colorado Highway 121 to the Platte River. The lower restrictions were reinstated due to current conditions being more favorable for wildfire prevention than a Stage II Fire Ban. Conditions will continue to be monitored and restrictions will be adjusted as necessary.
The following activities are prohibited pursuant to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:
Building, maintaining, attending or using any fire or recreational campfire, except a recreational fire within a permanently constructed fire grate in a developed park, campground, private residence, or picnic area.
NOTE: Persons with private residential recreational campfires exempted as described above are encouraged to contact their local fire agency and advise start and finish times to alleviate smoke check responses.
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area of at least six feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all combustible material. (2015 IFC 320.8).
Open burning, including “bon fires” that require a permit from the fire authority of jurisdiction. (2015 IFC 105.6.30).
The use of fireworks within unincorporated Jefferson County.
NOTE: Burn permits issued and not executed prior to the effective date of these temporary fire restrictions shall not be authorized unless approved by the issuing agency on the day of execution.
Exemptions approved under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:
Use of liquid or gas fueled appliances.
Approved wood pellet grills.
Charcoal barbeque grills at private residences or within a permanently constructed grate in a developed park, campground, or picnic area and not closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area. (2015 IFC 308.1.6).
Portable outdoor fireplaces, Tiki torches, chimineas, and fire pits at private residence or in a developed park, campground, or picnic area and not closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area. (2015 IFC 307.4.3).
Welding and cutting torch appliances, as described in the definition section, may only be operated in an area no closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area. (2015 IFC 308.1.6).
Recreational fires not closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area. (2015 IFC 307.4.2).
Permitted fires by persons with a permit specifically authorizing the prohibited act such as professional fireworks displays.
Contact must be made with the permitting authority to verify the status of permits issued prior to the establishment of burn restrictions.
Fire department / district training fires.
Burning of explosive wastes by manufacturer of explosives in areas zoned for industrial use, when the burning is supervised by the fire protection district.
Open fires or open burning by any federal, state, or local officer in the performance of official fire suppression functions.
Individuals operating under any of the above exemptions shall take adequate measures to prevent uncontrolled fires. Possible measures include, but are not limited to:
Containers of adequate water or dry soil nearby.
Shovels, fire extinguishers, or other extinguishing agents nearby.
Coordination with the local fire department or district to be on scene or standby during an activity.
