Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Implemented in Jefferson County as of March 6

Temporary Fire Ban Implemented in Jefferson County

Sheriff enacts ban in effort to prevent wildfires

Effective at midnight, this evening, March 6, 2017, Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Shrader will enact a Stage 2 Fire Ban for Jefferson County. This Temporary Stage 2 Fire Ban supersedes all previous Fire Restrictions and Bans.

THIS TEMPORARY STAGE 2 FIRE BAN APPLIES TO ALL LANDS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

These ban is being enacted due to current dry conditions favorable for the possibility of a wildfire, and limited availability of fire control resources. Conditions will continue to be monitored and restrictions will be adjusted in the coming weeks as necessary.

Pursuant to the Annual Operating Plan regarding the implementation of Fire Restrictions and Fire Bans; and due to the continuing high fire danger condition within Jefferson County,

The following activities are prohibited pursuant to Stage 2 fire ban:

§ Building, maintaining, attending or using any fire.

§ No recreational fires, including recreational campfires.

§ 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 310.8)

§ Open Burning including “bon fires” that require a permit from the fire authority having jurisdiction, will not be allowed during this ban. (2015 IFC 105.6.32)

§ The USE of ALL fireworks, as defined below, are prohibited within Jefferson County.

§ Shooting tracer rounds or explosive type targets.

§ Operating a chain saw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arresting device properly installed and in proper working order, and having a extinguishing source, water, pressurized water extinguisher, or a proper chemical pressurized extinguisher, large enough to handle nearby hazards, and possessing at least one large size pointed shovel with an overall length of at least thirty-six inches. All must be readily available for quick use.

§ Welding and cutting torch appliances, as described above in the definition section, shall only be operated within an area that is barren or cleared of all combustible material at least 30 feet in all directions from the operating equipment. (2015 IFC 308.1.6) This operation may only be done during a declared “Fire Ban” upon receiving a permit from the Fire Authority having jurisdiction over the operating location. (2015 IFC 105.6.31)

§ Use of an explosive initiation system requiring a burning fuse line.


Exemptions approved under this temporary Stage 2 Fire Ban:

§ Use of liquid or gas fueled appliances
§ Approved wood pellet grills

§ 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.

Definitions:

FIREWORKS: As defined in section 12-28-101(3) C.R.S, and shall specifically include “permissible fireworks” as defined in section 12-28-101(8) C.R.S.

INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE (IFC): Latest adopted Fire Code within Jefferson County. Currently the 2009 edition.

LIQUID OR GAS FUELED APPLIANCES: Appliances such as fire pits, grills, camp stoves, and Tiki torches that burn liquid or gaseous fuels and can be shut off. This does not include any device that burns solid fuels such as wood or charcoal and which must be extinguished.

OPEN FIRE AND OPEN BURNING: Any outdoor fire larger than a recreational fire and not contained within a portable outdoor fireplace. This includes but is not limited to campfires, bonfires, warming fires, the lighting of any fused explosives, permissible fireworks, the use of model rockets, “sky lanterns”, and the burning of fence lines or rows, grass lands, fields, farm lands, ditches, range lands, and wild lands. Permits from the fire district are required for open fires.

PORTABLE OUTDOOR FIREPLACE: A commercially purchased portable, outdoor, solid-fuel-burning fireplace that may be constructed of steel, concrete, clay, or other non-combustible material. A portable outdoor fireplace may be open in design, or may be equipped with a small hearth opening and a short chimney or chimney opening at the top. These devices must be operated according to the manufactures instructions with all covers, screens, spark arresters, and grates in place. Portable outdoor fireplaces shall not be operated within 30 feet of a structure or combustible material.

RECREATIONAL FIRE: An outdoor fire burning material other than rubbish or debris where the fuel being burned is not contained in a portable outdoor fireplace, or barbeque grill and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes. This includes fires in barrels and drums; fixed, permanent outdoor fireplaces; and barbeque pit fires.

UNDEVELOPED AREAS: Lands that are not groomed, manicured, or watered, where grasses, brush and trees have been allowed to grow in a natural environment. This includes green belts that are not landscaped or manicured, open space lands, non-manicured park lands, and other areas where the fire hazard presented by the vegetation is determined to be an undue wildland fire hazard.

WELDING AND CUTTING TORCH APPLIANCES: Gas cylinder mixtures, electric and/or portable powered welders and cutting appliances which produce heat, flame, sparks, molten metal slag, etc.

Pursuant to County Policy Part 3, Chapter 6, Section 2, Authorizing the Declaration of Open Fire Bans, violations of these prohibitions, upon conviction, is punishable by a fine of not more than $600.00. Such act(s) violate section(s) 102.8 and/or 308.2 of the International Fire Code.

This temporary Fire Ban becomes effective at 12 a.m. on March 07, 2017 and shall remain in effect until superseded or repealed.

Fire Ban Lifted, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Reinstated

Sheriff Urges Caution during Reduced Restrictions

Effective at 12 p.m. today, March 30, Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Shrader rescinded the temporary Stage 2 Fire Ban and reinstated Stage 1 Fire Restrictions for all Jefferson County. While recent and forecasted weather helps reduce the risk of wildland fires, conditions still dictate the need for continued fire restrictions and caution, particularly with any outdoor cooking and campfires as permissible under Stage 1.

Pursuant to the Annual Operating Plan regarding the implementation of fire restrictions and fire bans, and due to the continuing high fire danger conditions within Jefferson County, the following activities are prohibited under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:
o 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: Users of 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.
o 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 310.8)
o Open burning, including “bon fires” that require a permit from the fire authority having jurisdiction. (2015 IFC 105.6.30)
o The use of all fireworks, as defined below.

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:
o Use of liquid or gas fueled appliances.
o Approved wood pellet grills.
o Charcoal barbeque grills not closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area (2015 IFC 308.1.6)
o Portable outdoor fireplaces not closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area. (2015 IFC 307.4.3)
o Welding and cutting torch appliances, as defined below, may only be operated in an area not closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area. (2015 IFC 308.1.6)
o Recreational fires not closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area. (2015 IFC 307.4.2)
o Permitted fires by persons with a permit specifically authorizing a 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.
o Fire department/district training fires.
o Burning of explosive wastes by manufacturers of explosives in areas zoned for industrial use, when the burning is supervised by the fire protection district.
o 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:
o Containers of adequate water or dry soil nearby.
o Shovels, fire extinguishers, or other extinguishing agents nearby.
o Coordination with the local fire department or district to be on scene or standby during an activity.
Definitions:

Fireworks: As defined in section 12-28-101(3) C.R.S and shall specifically include “permissible fireworks” as defined in section 12-28-101(8) C.R.S.

International Fire Code (IFC): Latest adopted fire code within Jefferson County, currently the 2015 edition.
Liquid or gas fueled appliances: Appliances such as fire pits, grills, camp stoves, and Tiki torches that burn liquid or gaseous fuels and can be shut off. This does not include any device that burns solid fuels such as wood or charcoal and which must be extinguished.

Open fire and open burning: Any outdoor fire larger than a recreational fire and not contained within a portable outdoor fireplace. This includes but is not limited to campfires, bonfires, warming fires, the lighting of any fused explosives, permissible fireworks, the use of model rockets, “sky lanterns”, and the burning of fence lines or rows, grass lands, fields, farm lands, ditches, range lands, and wild lands. Permits from the fire district are required for open fires.

Portable outdoor fireplace: A commercially purchased portable, outdoor, solid-fuel-burning fireplace that may be constructed of steel, concrete, clay, or other non-combustible material. A portable outdoor fireplace may be open in design, or may be equipped with a small hearth opening and a short chimney or chimney opening at the top. These devices must be operated according to the manufactures’ instructions with all covers, screens, spark arresters, and grates in place. Portable outdoor fireplaces shall not be operated within 30 feet of a structure or combustible material.

Recreational fire: An outdoor fire burning material other than rubbish or debris where the fuel being burned is not contained in a portable outdoor fireplace or barbeque grill and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth, or similar purposes. This includes fires in barrels and drums; fixed, permanent outdoor fireplaces; and barbeque pit fires.
Undeveloped areas: Lands that are not groomed, manicured, or watered, where grasses, brush, and trees have been allowed to grow in a natural environment. This includes green belts that are not landscaped or manicured, open space lands, non-manicured park lands, and other areas where the fire hazard presented by the vegetation is determined to be an undue wildland fire hazard.

Welding and cutting torch appliances: Gas cylinder mixtures, electric and/or portable powered welders, and cutting appliances which produce heat, flame, sparks, molten metal slag, etc.

Pursuant to County Policy Part 3, Chapter 6 Section Authorizing the Declaration of Open Fire Bans, violations of these prohibitions, upon conviction, is punishable by a fine of not more than $600.00. Such act(s) violate section(s) 102.8 and/or 308.2.1 of the International Fire Code.

Due to changes in weather patterns, the Golden Fire Department is lifting the Stage 1 fire restrictions within the city limits of Golden, which were put into effect on February 17. This will be effective at noon today, April 3, 2017. This does not apply to areas in Unincorporated Jefferson County, just within city limits.
Golden Fire will continue to monitor the weather and make adjustments as necessary. We still ask that citizens take precautions and be smart about extinguishing fires and cigarettes.


www.facebook.com/GoldenCOFire

Fire Restrictions Lifted for Jefferson County
Weather Conditions Reduce Fire Danger

Effective today, April 6, 2017, at 12 p.m., Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Shrader lifted the temporary fire restriction order for all of Jefferson County.

The current and predicted weather conditions have reduced the danger of wildfire; however, residents are encouraged to continue to be vigilant and are reminded to use caution when starting and extinguishing campfires, disposing of lighted cigarettes, and conducting other activities that involve the use of fire or sparks. Warm and windy days can quickly lower the fuel moisture content of trees and grasses, making them susceptible to ignition.

The Sheriff’s Office will continue to closely monitor the fire danger in the county and make appropriate adjustments to reduce the risk of fires in JeffCo.