El Paso County downgrades fire restrictions
Fire restrictions were downgraded from stage two to stage one on Monday for all residents in unincorporated El Paso County.
The announcement comes days after firefighters contained a 40,000-acre blaze that tore through El Paso and Pueblo counties. That fire and high fire danger prompted El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder to enact stage two restrictions last week.
The following are prohibited under stage one fire restrictions:
1. Open burning, excepting fires and campfires within permanently constructed fire grates in developed campgrounds and picnic grounds; charcoal grills and wood burning stoves at private residences in areas cleared of all flammable materials.
2. The sale or use of fireworks.
3. Outdoor smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
