EPC commissioners to consider burning ordinance

A second work session to gather public input on a burning ordinance will be held next Thursday afternoon by El Paso County commissioners.

Commissioners held a similar work session last month.

The potential need for an ordinance arose after complaints from Black Forest residents about the recent burning of large debris piles.

County spokesman Dave Rose said the debris came from the June 2013 Black Forest Fire and was burned by contractors and developers who had required state permits.

“There’s been a tremendous number of partially-burned trees taken out, brush removed from underneath power lines and it’s been piled into these giant slash piles,” he said.

Residents like Fran Rutherford, who rebuilt her home that was destroyed in the fire, are concerned that the fires are too big and too near other homes.

“They could start another wildfire or affect the air quality,” she said. “If the rules are not enforced, who is supposed to ensure that permit holders are following the rules? And who has jurisdiction? Because every time I called somebody, they just passed the buck.”

Rutherford said a recent fire burned all night and into the next morning in apparent violation of the state permit that says fires must be out by dusk.

Commissioners already have drawn up a draft of an ordinance.

Rick McMorran, chairman of the Black Forest Fire Protection District, said the county health department would continue to issue air quality permits for burning and the sheriff’s office — along with local fire departments — would issue the actual burn permit.

The next work session is scheduled at 2 p.m. next Thursday at Centennial Hall in downtown Colorado Springs. Commissioners will not vote on the matter during the session.