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inciweb: US Forest Service fire updates (wildfires)

SHERIFF IMPLEMENTS STAGE 2 FIRE RESTRICTIONS IN PITKIN COUNTY

6/29/2018

 
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Pitkin County, Colorado – June 28, 2018 – Pitkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo, in cooperation with the Pitkin County Fire Chiefs and officials from the United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, is implementing Stage II fire restrictions effective 12:00 a.m. (midnight) Saturday, June 29, 2018. The new fire restrictions are in effect until further notice and cover all State, public, private, incorporated and unincorporated lands within Pitkin County. Land management officials from USFS - White River National Forest and Bureau of Land Management are implementing their own, concurrent Stage II fire restrictions along with Pitkin County. These new Stage II fire restrictions supersede the existing Stage I fire restrictions that have been in place since June 12, 2018.
 
“Fire restrictions are implemented to reduce fire risk and prevent wildfires during periods of high to extreme fire danger,” said Sheriff DiSalvo Thursday evening. “We use data to guide us in making these decisions, and don’t take lightly the impact the restrictions have on our community. However, the impacts of inaction on our part are far greater and we must do everything we can to deter and prevent fires in Pitkin County.”
 
“The health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Pitkin County require that the use of open fires, equipment, and explosives be regulated in order to prevent wildfires under existing conditions.” Scott Thompson, Basalt/Snowmass Fire Chief.
 
All residents and visitors who violate these fire restrictions will face penalties which may include fines and possible jail time.

The Stage II fire restrictions shall apply to all people within Pitkin County for the following activities:
 
  1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. This includes charcoal grills and barbecues, coal and wood burning stoves and sheepherder’s stoves and includes use in developed camping and picnic grounds.*
 
*Gas grills/stoves/lanterns using pressurized liquid or gas that include shut-off valves are permitted when used in an area at least three feet or more from flammable material such as grasses or pine needles.
 
  • All smoking. EXCEPT within an enclosed vehicle, trailer or building.
 
  • Use of any fireworks including sparklers, rockets, exploding targets, and tracers or incendiaries.
 
  • Using an explosive. This includes but is not limited to fuses or blasting caps.
 
  • Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame with a current permit, contract or letter of authorization.
 
  • Operating or using any internal combustion engine (e.g. chainsaw, generator, ATV) without an approved spark arresting device properly installed and in effective working order meeting either:
 
  • Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100-1a; or
 
  • Appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE recommended practice J335(b) and J350(a).
 
  • Operating a chainsaw without an approved spark arresting device properly installed and in effective working order, and chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (8 oz. capacity by weight or larger and kept with the operator) and a round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches that is readily available for use.
 
The public is encouraged to visit www.pitkinemergency.com for more information about current fire restrictions.

For media inquiries contact:
Alex Burchetta
Operations Commander, Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office
[email protected]
(970) 920-5300

STAGE 2 FIRE RESTRICTIONS GO INTO EFFECT IN PITKIN COUNTY

6/29/2018

 
The Pitkin County Sheriff  is implementing Stage 2 fire restrictions effective at midnight on Friday, June 29, 2018. 

Pitkin County joins the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Garfield, Gunnison and Eagle counties in implementing this more restrictive fire ban.  Stage 2 means absolutely no campfires of any kind, no charcoal grills or barbecues, or the use of coal or wood burning stoves. All smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer or building is prohibited.

If you have any questions please contact your local fire district, District Ranger or the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office at:

 
Aspen Fire Protection District -- 970-925-5532
Basalt & Rural Fire Protection District -- 970-704-0675
Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District - 970-963-2491
Snowmass/Wildcat Fire Protection District -- 970-923-2212
​Pitkin County Sheriff's Office -- 970-920-5300
White River National Forest -- 970-963-2255​

Please refer to the chart below for further details: 
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STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT IN PITKIN COUNTY

6/12/2018

 
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Press Release
For Immediate Release
Pitkin County Sheriff announces Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Effective immediately, June 12, 2018
 
Pitkin County, Colorado - June 12, 2018 -The Pitkin County Sheriff, with the support of all Fire Chiefs of Aspen, Snowmass, Basalt, and Carbondale, is imposing Stage 1 fire restrictions due to the unseasonably warm weather and lack of moisture this summer. The fuel moisture content of trees, grass and brush is significantly low and at risk of a devastating fire.
 
The health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Pitkin County require that the use of open fires, equipment, and explosives be regulated in order to prevent wildfires under existing conditions.
 
The following open fire restrictions shall apply on all private and state lands in Pitkin County. The fire restrictions shall apply to the following persons and activities:
  • Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire except within a developed recreation site, or improved site to include a fire ring/pit. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, or building, at a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area of at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
  •  Operating or using an internal or external combustion engine without an approved spark-arresting device properly installed, maintained,  and in effective working order meeting either the USDA Forest Service Standards or appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practices.
  •  Use of any personal fireworks or explosive requiring fuses or blasting caps as defined by Colorado Revised Statute 12-28-101 (8). 
The restrictions stated above exclude the following:

  • Persons with a valid written permit from the Pitkin County Sheriff, or the fire district within which the fire is to occur specifically authorizing the prohibited act.
  • Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
  • Any fires contained within a liquid fuel or gas fuel stove, fireplaces within buildings, charcoal grill fires at private residences, and fires located within permanent fire pits or fire grates to the extent those pits or grates are located in developed picnic grounds, campgrounds or recreational sites. 
  • Burning of irrigation ditches located within and completely surrounded by irrigated farmlands, where such burning is necessary for crop survival, and a specific written permit has been granted for such burning, in advance, by the fire district having jurisdiction.
  •  Campfires or bonfires required in religious ceremonies, for which a Federal agency, the Fire District and the County Sheriff has granted a valid written permit in advance. Knowingly or recklessly burning during the restriction period is illegal and legal actions may be taken against individuals in violation under CRS 30-15-410 and Pitkin County Resolution 96. 
The temporary restrictions are in effect until further notice.
 
If you have any questions please contact your local fire district, District Ranger or the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office at:
 
Aspen Fire Protection District -- 970-925-5532
Basalt & Rural Fire Protection District -- 970-704-0675
Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District - 970-963-2491
Snowmass/Wildcat Fire Protection District -- 970-923-2212
​Pitkin County Sheriff's Office -- 970-920-5300
White River National Forest -- 970-963-2255

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