Manitou Springs Fire Department: fire danger remains despite cold temps
MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Manitou Springs Fire Department (MSFD) wants to remind residents that the cold temperatures outside do not mean we are free of fire danger.
“There remains a lack of moisture, low relative humidity, and intermittent wind events that continue to dry out fuels,” Chief John Forsett said. "This creates conditions that allow for fire to start easily and grow quickly.”
The MSFD also wants residents and visitors to remember that per Ordinance 1722, whenever a Red Flag Warning is issued by the National Weather Service for any area involving Manitou Springs, Stage 2 Burn Ban Orders will be in effect.
Stage 2 Burn Ban Orders
1. Open Burning Ban, defined as the prohibited use of any outside fire. This includes all campfires and warming fires, all solid fuel burning fireplaces (e.g. fire pits, fire tables, and chimineas), and cooking appliances (e.g. charcoal BBQ grills, pellet smokers, and BBQ grills).
This ban excludes Liquid Propane (LP) fueled or gas fueled open flame cooking devices, (e.g. LP BBQ grills or camping stoves) with a 10’ separation from combustible materials, (clearance not applicable to single-family homes). Additionally, this ban does not apply to compliant fireplaces and wood-burning stoves within private residences.
2. Outdoor Smoking Ban, defined as the prohibited use of any tobacco product or similar material in cigarettes, cigars, or pipes outdoors. This excludes smoking in enclosed buildings or structures, and along Manitou Avenue. Discarding a lighted cigarette, cigar, or pipe tobacco product is strictly prohibited.
3. Prohibited Sale and Use of Fireworks and explosives, defined as sale of any and all types of fireworks, and use of any explosives not limited to fireworks, fuses or blasting caps and rockets.
4. Dangerous Equipment Use, defined as the use or operation of any equipment outdoors that emits sparks (e.g. grinder, chain saw) or open flame (e.g. welding or operating an acetylene or other torch) without a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher equal to or exceeding a rating of 2A 10BC readily available to the operator.
A Red Flag Warning means warm temperatures, very low humidity, and strong winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger. These conditions are independent of antecedent weather, fuel types, and fuel moisture for the region.
