Fire restrictions across the Colorado Springs area downgraded

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Monday morning the El Paso County Sheriff's Office and the City of Colorado Springs downgraded their fire restrictions throughout the city and in the unincorporated areas of El Paso County.

The Burn Ban Order in Colorado Springs was replaced with a less restrictive Burn Restriction Order and the Stage Two Fire restrictions that were placed on the unincorporated areas of the county have been reduced to Stage One restrictions.

The new Stage One Fire restrictions in the unincorporated areas of E lPaso County, go into effect immediately, and prohibit the following:

• Open burning - with the exception of 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.
• The sale or use of fireworks.
• 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. 

The new Burn Restriction Order throughout the city of Colorado Springs also goes into effect immediately and the CSFD said people wanting more information on the new restrictions can go to their website for more information.

The City of Fountain also lowered the Stage Two fire restrictions to Stage One restrictions.