Colorado Wildfires Prompt Open Burning & Fireworks Bans-Updates

With Colorado fighting wildfires across the state more communities are enacting fire restrictions as hot, dry, gusty weather continues around the state.

Typically these bans include agricultural burning, campfires, warming fires, fused explosives and fireworks of all varieties.

Gas barbecues and charcoal fires in enclosed permanent fire pits are normally excluded from the ban.

Last year Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a ban on open burning and private use of fireworks statewide because of the dry conditions and high fire danger on the 14th of July.

Currently the following counties have enacted restrictions:

• Delta County Commissioners issued an open fire ban that applies to all private & public lands in Delta.
• Jefferson County banned open burning and the use of fireworks in unincorporated parts of the county.
• The city of Lone Tree enacted similar restrictions
• Douglas County did the same.
• Colorado Springs
• Fremont County
• Highlands Ranch
• Kiowa City
• Monument City
• Fort Carson
• Garfield County
• BLM Colorado River Field Office
• Commerce City was reported cancelled but IS NOT
• And Now Mesa County

The Mesa County Sheriff and Bureau of Land Management are implementing county-wide fire restrictions effective at 12:01 a.m., on Thursday, June 27, 2013.

The restrictions allow fires in government-designated fire pits only, but restrict any open flames and fires in non-approved fire pits.

Causing a fire during fire restrictions is a class 6 felony and can be punishable by fines of $1,000-$100,000 and/or imprisonment for 12-18 months. Other possible charges include fourth degree arson and intentionally setting wildfire.

We will update this list as more are released.