The original item was published from 6/22/2021 2:41:50 PM to 7/23/2021 12:00:00 AM.

News Flash

Pitkin County Press Releases

Posted on: June 22, 2021

[ARCHIVED] Pitkin County Sheriff Implements Stage II Fire Restrictions

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Pitkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo Implements STAGE II Fire Restrictions Effective 12:00 AM Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Pitkin County, Colorado – June 22, 2021 – Pitkin County Sheriff Joe DiSalvo, with the support of all Pitkin County Fire Chiefs, is placing Pitkin County under Stage II fire restrictions effective midnight/12:00 AM Wednesday, June 23, 2021. The new fire restrictions are in effect until further notice and cover all State, public, private, incorporated and unincorporated lands within Pitkin County. Land management officials from the US Forest Service - White River National Forest and Bureau of Land Management are planning to implement their own restrictions later in the week. These new Stage II fire restrictions supersede the existing Stage I fire restrictions that have been in place since June 16, 2021.

“A Stage two fire restriction essentially prohibits all fires, whether you’re in an established campsite or on the back deck at your house,” said Sheriff DiSalvo Monday evening. “My deputies will enforce this fire restriction and will issue citations to those who violate it. We once again find ourselves in an extreme fire season. With the numerous wildfires in surrounding counties and having seen the long range weather forecast we know we must do everything we can to deter and prevent human caused fires in our community.”

“We cannot stress this enough - it's absolutely critical that all citizens have an emergency evacuation and sheltering plan so they can act quickly during a fast-moving wildfire," said Valerie MacDonald, Pitkin County Emergency Manager. For those looking for more information, please visit ready.gov/plan to create your emergency plan. Make sure you have signed up for emergency alert notifications, know your evacuation routes, have a 72-hour go-bag ready, and, most importantly, leave early.

All residents and visitors who violate these fire restrictions will face criminal penalties, which include fines of $500 (first offense), $750 (second offense), and $1000 (third offense) and possible jail time.

All residents and visitors who violate these fire restrictions will face penalties which include fines and possible jail time.

The fire restrictions shall apply to the following activities:

Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. This includes charcoal grills and barbecues, coal and wood-burning stoves and sheepherder’s stoves and includes use in developed camping and picnic grounds.*

*Gas grills/stoves/lanterns using pressurized liquid or gas that include shut-off valves are permitted when used in an area at least three feet or more from flammable material such as grasses or pine needles.

Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or area cleared of all combustible materials.
Use of any fireworks including sparklers, rockets, exploding targets, and tracers or incendiaries.
Using an explosive. This includes but is not limited to fuses or blasting caps.
Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame with a current permit or letter of authorization.
Operating or using any internal combustion engine (e.g. chainsaw, generator, ATV) without an approved spark arresting device properly installed and in effective working order meeting either:

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100-1a; or

Appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE recommended practice J335(b) and J350(a).

Operating a chainsaw without an approved spark arresting device properly installed and in effective working order, and chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (8 oz. capacity by weight or larger and kept with the operator) and a round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches that is readily available for use.

The public is encouraged to visit www.pitkinemergency.com for more information about current fire restrictions.

If you have any questions please contact your local fire district, district Ranger office: