Fire and Shooting Restrictions on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests

Forest Service, ARP @usfsarp 54m
Stage 1 Fire and Shooting Restrictions are in place on the Arapaho and Roosevelt in Boulder, Gilpin, Clear Creek and Park Counties. Learn more at ow.ly/HYEn50vOg8q

Fire and Shooting Restrictions on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
Contact(s): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(Boulder, Colo.) Stage 1 Fire and Shooting Restrictions are in effect on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Boulder, Gilpin, Clear Creek and Park counties. The Forest Service works closely with county sheriffs to monitor conditions and evaluate the need for restrictions.

Stage 1 fire restrictions limit the type of fire and activities that are allowed on the national forest. Within the fire restriction area forest visitors may not:

• Build or maintain a fire or use charcoal, coal, or wood stoves, except in permanent fire pits or fire grates within a developed recreation site (e.g., campgrounds where fees are charged).


• Smoke, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while in an area at least three feet in diameter cleared of all flammable materials.


• Use any internal or external combustion engine (including chainsaws) without a spark arresting device properly working and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher and a round point shovel.


• Weld or operate acetylene or other torch with open flame except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter and in possession of a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher.


• Use explosives, including fireworks.


• Discharge of a firearm unless in possession of a valid Colorado hunting license and lawfully involved in hunting and harvesting game.

Violation of Stage 1 fire restrictions could result in a maximum fine of $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for more than six months, or both. If responsible for causing a wildfire, one could be held accountable for suppression costs of that fire.

To view the fire restriction orders and maps, go to www.fs.usda.gov/arp . They will be listed in the “Alerts and Notices” box on the right. Please note that many counties are also under fire restrictions; information is available at www.coemergency.com/p/fire-bans-danger.html .

Stage I Fire Restrictions and Target Shooting Closure

Order # 2019-32 Stage 1 Fire Target Shooting
FOREST ORDER
USDA FOREST SERVICE
Pike NATIONAL FOREST
Pikes Peak, South Park and South Platte Ranger Districts

STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS AND TARGET SHOOTING CLOSURE
Pursuant to 16 United States Code (U.S.C.) §551 and 36 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) § 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System lands within Pikes Peak, South Park and South Platte Ranger Districts in the Pike National Forests in Clear Creek, Park, Jefferson, Douglas, El Paso and Teller Counties of the State of Colorado (the“Restricted Area”) and on all roads and trails located within the Restricted Area (the “Restricted Roads and Trails”) are depicted on the attached map hereby incorporated into this order as Exhibit A.The purpose of this order is to protect public health and safety due to the current and anticipated elevated risk of wildfire.

PROHIBITIONS:
1) Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. 36 CFR §261.52(a). This includes barbecues and grills.
EXCEPT: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire in constructed, permanent firepits or fire grates within developed recreation sites and the use of portable stoves,lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum, pressurized liquid fuel or a fully enclosed(sheepherder type) stove with a ¼” spark arrester type screen is permitted.

2) Smoking, except in 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. 36 CFR § 261.52(d).

3) Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and in effective working order, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A kept with the operator, and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use. 36 CFR § 261.52(h).

4) Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame except in cleared areas ofat least 10 feet in diameter and in possession of a chemical pressurized fire extinguisherwith a minimum rating of at least 2A. 36 CFR § 261.52(i).

5) Using an explosive. 36 CFR § 261.52 (b).6)Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun. 36 CFR § 261.58(m).
EXEMPTIONS:
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (e), the following persons are exempt from specified
Prohibitions of this order:

1) Persons with a valid Forest Service permit or contract specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission may be eligible for an exemption from Prohibitions#1, #3, #4, and #5. Any exemption must be applied for in writing, include an appropriate mitigation plan and must be authorized in writing by the appropriate Forest Service official. The authorization must be in the physical possession of the person or persons undertaking the exempted activities.

2) Any federal, state or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty is exempt from Prohibitions #1, #3, #4, and #5

3) Any person possessing, on their person, a current and valid State hunting license, and who is actively involved in hunting during an open season pursuant to that license.Notice regarding Exemptions: Holders of valid Forest Service permits, leases and authorizations and all other persons are on notice that when proceeding with activities that are authorized pursuant to these Exemptions, such persons are responsible for conducting authorized activities in a safe and prudent manner using extra precautions and are electing to proceed at their own risk. An exemption does not absolve an individual or organization from liability or responsibility for damage, injury or loss to the United States for any fire started while undertaking the exempted activity.

This order becomes effective at 12:01 am on October 4, 2019, and will remain in force until rescinded or until December 31, 2019, whichever event occurs first.

Executed in Pueblo, Colorado, October 3, 2019.

Diana M. Trujillo
Forest and Grassland Supervisor

Violation of these prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organizations, or imprisonment for more than six months, or both 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 USC §§ 3559 and 3571.

A notice from the USFS on 10/7/19:

Moving the barriers at the Harris Park Shooting Area will result in being ticketed.

Outdoor target shooting in Park County is prohibited at this time on all public and private lands, per USFS restrictions and the Park County Sheriff's Office. Please use indoor shooting ranges for target shooting until further notice.

USFS_Pike&San Isabel @PSICC_NF 48m
Restrictions on fires and target shooting have been removed for the Pike and San Isabel National Forests. There is still a closure around the Decker Fire.