Boulder County Sheriff Pelle Orders Outdoor Fire Ban

3/28/2012

Boulder County has seen little moisture over the past month and fire conditions continue to worsen as little relief is anticipated. In addition, Red Flag Fire and high wind warnings and watches have continued to be issued almost weekly. The National Weather Service has declared March 2012 as the driest month on record. These weather conditions along with a series of at least three human-caused fires this past week have prompted Sheriff Joe Pelle to pro-actively respond by issuance of a Fire Ban.

State statutes authorize counties to impose a fire ban when “the occurrence or imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, loss of life or property resulting from any natural cause or cause of human origin, including but not limited to fire..."

Responding to the current threats and conditions, Sheriff Joe Pelle has enacted a fire ban restricting open burning. The sale of fireworks and use of fireworks and model rockets is prohibited in all unincorporated areas of Boulder County. The Sheriff requests that outdoor recreational shooting be considered hazardous and the public should take great caution or even refrain from these activities.

The Fire Ban allows for:

Fire contained within Liquid or gas fuel stoves

Camp fires in USFS improved/maintained campgrounds that are currently open to the public.

Charcoal grill fires on private lands

It bans all other open fire, the use of any kind of fireworks and model rockets.

The restrictions will take effect at 1030 a.m. on Tuesday, March 27th, 2012. A copy of the Sheriff’s order is attached to this media release. Advisory signs will be posted on roadways countywide by the end of this week.

The Fire ban will remain in effect until the hazardous fire conditions subside.

Anyone found in violation of the Fire Ban may be convicted of a class 2 petty offense and may be subject to a $500 fine. Higher fines may be imposed for subsequent offenses.