Fire restrictions to begin for the Pike and San Isabel National Forests
The U.S. Forest Service says that stage 1 fire restrictions will begin for the Pike and San Isabel National Forests on Thursday.
The restrictions will remain in place until the fire danger goes down.
The restrictions affect national forest lands in Clear Creek, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, Park, Teller, Chaffee, Fremont, Custer, Pueblo, Huerfano and Las Animas counties.
FIRE RESTRICTIONS
The following acts are prohibited:
1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. (This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, charcoal grills, hibachis, and coal or wood-burning stoves.)
EXCEPTIONS: Campfires are permitted in Forest Service-provided, manufactured fire grates and grills witihin Forest Service developed campgrounds and picnic grounds. The use of petroleum fueled stoves or lanterns that use gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel; an fully enclosed (sheepherder type) stove with a ” spark arrester type screen are also permitted.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, in a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least 3 (three) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
3. Operating a chainsaw without a USDA Forest Service or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and in effective working order, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A kept with the operator and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use. 36 CFR 261.52(h).
4. Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter and in possession of a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of at least 2A. 36 CFR 261.52(i)
5. Using an explosive. 36 CFR 261.52 (b).
Fire Safety Messages
Keep a bucket of water and a shovel near the campfire
When putting a campfire out, drown it with water, stir the fire with dirt and more water until all the fuel is cold to the touch. Never leave a fire until it is out cold
