Boulder Ranger District Bans All Campfires, Outdoor Smoking

By Chris Spears

BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - The U.S. Forest Service announced Tuesday that the Boulder Ranger District has implemented Stage 2 fire restrictions, effective July 19, at all campgrounds within the district.

The new restrictions ban all campfires and include charcoal and wood burning stoves, grills and barbecues.

Gas stoves, grills and lanterns with a shut-off valve are permitted when used at least three feet or more from flammable materials such as grass or pine needles.

Under Stage 2 fire restrictions, smoking is allowed only within an enclosed vehicle or building.

Meeker Park, Olive Ridge, Peaceful Valley, Camp Dick, Pawnee, Rainbow Lakes and the Kelly Dahl campgrounds are all included in the new ban.

Campfires were already prohibited everywhere else on the Boulder Ranger District under Stage 1 fire restrictions. A temporary sports shooting restriction also remains in place on all National Forest System lands in Boulder County.

The rest of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests remains under Stage 1 fire restrictions, which limits campfires to paid campsites and picnic areas with permanent metal rings and grills. This includes all National Forest System lands in Grand, Clear Creek, Larimer and portions of Gilpin and Jefferson counties.

Factors considered when implementing restrictions include long term weather patterns, fuel moisture and staffing, as well as recent fire activity.

Fire restrictions will remain in place until it is determined that conditions have improved enough to ease the restrictions.

For a full list and maps of fire restrictions click here.

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.