SHERIFF IMPLEMENTS STAGE 2 FIRE RESTRICTIONS IN PITKIN COUNTY

 
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
alex.burchetta@pitkinsheriff.com
(970) 920-5300