What does it take to get a burn ban?

A few days after heavy snow in parts of El Paso County there is elevated fire danger in the area.

It’s not as high as it was in the eastern plains, but it was high enough to spark a 20 acre grass fire in Colorado Springs and another smaller fire in Fountain.

Now we’re learning more about the formula that firefighters use to determine fire danger.

There is plenty of dry grass and brush all around the area.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department says that issuing a burn ban is a decision made by both the city and county fire marshal’s office.

They say that despite the fires, a burn ban is not likely now because of the recent storms.

“We don’t look at burn bans and burn restrictions under these conditions unless we have a long range forecast with higher temperatures, windy days, low relative humidity and low to no precipitation,” said Amy Sylvester from the Colorado Springs Fire Department.

Sylvester also said that they consult with the National Weather Service office in Pueblo.