Colorado Springs moves from burn ban to burn restriction starting Friday

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) says it has downgraded its current burn ban order to a burn restriction.

According to officials, the restrictions will start Friday at noon. The burn ban has been in effect since June 29, when the "Aspen Acres" fire first broke out. CSFD says conditions since the start of August have improved enough to allow some restrictions to ease.

OTHER DOWNGRADES: Pueblo County, El Paso County, Pike-San Isabel National Forests

Under a burn restriction, residents are not allowed to:

• Start recreational fires that aren't in a portable or fixed fireplace or similar appliance
• Operate small engine equipment without functioning spark arrestor
• Smoke outdoors in any city-owned parks or open spaces

Colorado Springs residents can now use fireworks, model rocks and do hot work, with the proper permit.

CSFD says a violation of the restriction could end up in a fine, imprisonment or both.

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