Press Release: Issued Yesterday
Jefferson County, Co. – These Temporary Fire Restrictions will become effective at 5:00 P.M. on March 27, 2012, and shall remain in effect until superseded or repealed. These restrictions apply to all lands in unincorporated Jefferson County. This includes a portion of the Arapahoe-Roosevelt Forest located in Jefferson County (off Brook Forest Road).
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 pursuant to Stage 1 restrictions:
1. Building, maintaining, attending or using any fire or campfire, except a fire within a permanently constructed fire grate in a developed park, campground or picnic area.
2. Sale, possessing, discharging or using any type of fireworks or other pyrotechnic device to include sparklers. This order does not differentiate between lawful use or careless/negligent use of fireworks, but prohibits all fireworks activity and use on public lands as identified above.
3. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area of at least three feet diameter that is barren or cleared of all combustible material.
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 these Temporary Fire Restrictions:
• Persons with a valid written permit from the Sheriff or appropriate Fire Authority which specifically authorizes the prohibited act.
• Any Federal, State, or local Law Enforcement or Fire Officer acting in the performance of an official duty.
• Any fires contained within liquid fueled or gas fueled stoves. Charcoal grill fires at private residences.
• Campfires or bonfires required in religious ceremonies and for which a valid written permit has been granted in advance by the local Fire Department or District.
Individuals operating under any of the above exemptions shall take adequate measures to prevent uncontrolled fires. Possible measures include, but are not limited to:
A. Containers of adequate water or dry soil nearby.
B. Shovels, fire extinguishers, or other extinguishing agents nearby.
C. Coordination with the local Fire Department or District to be on scene or standby during an activity.
Pursuant to County Resolution CC 97-433, violations of these prohibitions, upon conviction, is punishable by a fine of not more than $600.00. Such act(s) violate sections 102.8 and 308.2.1 of the International Fire Code.
These Temporary Fire Restrictions will become effective at 5:00 P.M. on March 27, 2012, and shall remain in effect until superseded or repealed.
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