Forecast for hot temperatures and dry conditions has increased fire danger

Boulder County, Colo. - Sheriff Joe Pelle will be enacting Stage 1 fire
restrictions, effective 8 a.m. on Friday, June 30, for western Boulder
County. The fire restrictions are being implemented due to increasing fire
danger, lack of moisture, and the forecast for hot temperatures. We also
expect to see an increase in recreational activities in western Boulder County
for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. In addition, local and regional fire
suppression resources have also been committed to large fires in Colorado and
across the nation.

A map depicting the areas of Boulder County affected by the
fire ban is included below. (See flyer for what’s allowed and what’s prohibited)

The fire restrictions include the mountain areas of Boulder
County. The mountain areas include any and all unincorporated areas of the
county:

• West of CO Highway 93 (CO-93), from its
  intersection with the southern boundary of Boulder County until, and including,
  its intersection with CO Highway 119 (CO-119);
• West of Broadway Avenue in the City of Boulder,
  from its intersection with CO-119 until, and including, its intersection with
  US Highway 36 (US-36);
• West of US-36, from its intersection with
  Broadway Avenue until its intersection with the northern boundary of Boulder
  County;
• West of the western boundary of the Rabbit
  Mountain Open Space until, and including, US-36; and;
• All of the Rabbit Mountain Open Space property.

The fire ban PROHIBITS:

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using an
   open fire, campfire, or stove fire (including charcoal barbecues and grills);
2. Use of all fireworks;
3. Shooting or discharging firearms for
   recreational purposes, except for hunting with a valid and current hunting
   license;
4. 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;
5. Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or
   SAE-approved spark arrester properly installed and in effective working order.
   A chemical, pressurized fire-extinguisher must be kept with the operator, and
   at least one round-point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches
   must be readily available for use;
6. Welding or operating an acetylene or other
   open-flame torch, except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter, and
   with a chemical, pressurized fire-extinguisher immediately available for use;
   and
7. Using an explosive.

The fire ban ALLOWS:

1. Building, maintain, attending or using a fire in
   constructed, permanent fire pits or fire grates, within developed recreation
   sites (see below), and on private lands;
2. The use of portable stoves; lanterns using gas,
   jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel; or a fully enclosed
   (sheepherder-type) stove with a 1/4" spark arrester-type screen.

The following United States Forest Service (USFS) developed
recreation sites are located within Boulder County and are exempted from the
fire restrictions, in accordance with USFS policies and closures, when open and
staffed: Kelly Dahl Campground, Rainbow Lakes Campground, Camp Dick Campground,
Peacefully Valley Campground, Meeker Park Overflow Campground, Olive Ridge
Campground, and the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, which includes the Pawnee
Campground.

Anyone found in violation of the fire ban may be convicted
of a class two petty offense, and may be subject to a $500 fine, in addition to
any possible civil penalties. Higher fines may be imposed for subsequent
offenses.

The fire restrictions do not affect open fires within
incorporated cities and towns; however, residents and visitors must comply with
applicable ordinances and regulations in their respective cities and towns. The
fire restrictions will be in effect until Sheriff Pelle finds that the
hazardous conditions have subsided.

Colorado state statutes authorize counties to impose fire
restrictions "to a degree and in a manner that the Board of County
Commissioners deems necessary to reduce the danger of wildfires within those
portions of the unincorporated areas of the county where the danger of forest
or grass fires is found to be high based on competent evidence."

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