Areas Of Arapahoe & Boulder Counties Placed Under Fire Ban
NEDERLAND (CBS4) - After a fairly quiet fire season across Colorado things are heating up as we move into early fall.
The combination of a dry and warm late summer weather pattern combined with mature vegetation that is drying out have created prime fire conditions.
Because of the growing concern Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle has placed the mountainous areas of Boulder County under a fire ban until further notice. The ban includes all unincorporated areas west of Highways 93 and 36, and locations west of Rabbit Mountain Open Space to Highway 36.
In the city of Boulder the ban includes areas along and west of Broadway Avenue, North Foothills Highway and South Foothills Highway.
The ban prohibits slash fires, fireworks, model rockets and outdoor burning in general, including activities that produce sparks or flames.
Campfires in improved and maintained campgrounds that are currently open to the public are okay as long as the fuel for such fires is smaller than two feet in diameter and three feet in height.
The use of charcoal grills and fire pits are approved on private land but homeowners are asked to be extra cautious, especially on windy days.
The fire ban will remain in place until the sheriff finds that conditions have improved.
The Arapahoe County sheriff has also issued a ban on all open fires and open burning within unincorporated Arapahoe County to include the Cherry Creek State Park and the City of Centennial.
Wildfire Resources
- Visit CBSDenver.com's Living With Wildfire section.
Wildfire Photo Galleries
- See images from the most destructive wildfires (Black Forest, Waldo Canyon, High Park and Fourmile) and largest wildfire (Hayman) in Colorado history.
Meteorologist Chris Spears writes about stories related to weather and climate in Colorado. Check out his bio, connect with him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @ChrisCBS4.
