After about a week of strict fire bans, the Douglas County Sheriff and Castle Rock have eased restrictions again. On Friday, officials shortened the list of prohibited activities but remain concerned about the possibility of fires like those along the Front Range.
Fires, including the quarry fire in neighboring Jefferson County, forced evacuations this summer and required the deployment of hundreds of firefighters.
The fire started on the night of July 30 on Deer Creek Canyon Road near Grizzly Drive and quickly spread across hundreds of acres. At the height of the fire, nearly 600 homes had to be evacuated. Authorities said the fire was 100% contained after just over a week and no homes were lost. They expressed gratitude that it didn’t get worse.
But with even hotter weather ahead, the risk of forest fires remains.
Nevertheless, Sheriff Darren Weekly expressed confidence on Friday that a reduction in fire restrictions from Level 2 to Level 1, effective August 9, would be sufficient. It affects unincorporated areas – outside of cities and towns, but also the huge Highlands Ranch, which borders the Backcountry Wilderness Area.
Castle Rock decided almost immediately to “follow the county’s example and reduce our fire restrictions to Level 1,” said Oren Bersagel-Briese, the city’s fire department’s deputy chief of operations.
Here’s a look at each set of Level 1 restrictions.
Ban in Douglas County
Prohibited activities in Level 1 include open fires of any kind and the use of fireworks, including the use of model rockets.
Permitted activities include:
• Fires in stoves using liquid or gaseous fuel, fireplaces in buildings, charcoal barbecue fires in built-up residential or commercial areas and fires in wood stoves only in buildings
• Professional fireworks permitted under Colorado Code Section 12-28-103
• Fire fighting or fire drills by the fire brigade
• Small recreational fires at developed picnic or camping sites in fixed, permanent metal/steel fire pits – stone fire pits are considered temporary and not permanent – with a flame length not exceeding four feet
• Or the personal use of charcoal grills, tiki torches, fires in patio fireplaces or other portable fireplaces or patio fire pits, as long as the fires are supervised by a “responsible person” who is at least 18 years old.
Violation of these restrictions constitutes a Class 2 petty misdemeanor and may result in a fine of up to $1,000 and a $10 fine.
For more information on fire restrictions, visit the Douglas County Emergency Management website at dcsheriff.net/emergencymanagement/fire-restrictions.
If you live in an incorporated part of Douglas, the county recommends checking with your municipality for current restrictions.
Castle Rock ban
According to Bersagel-Briese, the city’s Level 1 ban also prohibits open fires of any kind, except in “developed or residential areas” on private property.
“In addition, the use of private fireworks of any kind is prohibited,” he added.
Permitted activities include:
• Fires in liquid or gas fuelled stoves, fireplaces in buildings, charcoal grill fires in built-up residential or commercial areas and fires in wood stoves
• Fireplaces, fire pits and charcoal smokers/grills on private property, away from combustible materials
• Permitted sale of legal fireworks
• Professional fireworks are permitted under Colorado Code Section 12-28-103
• Fire fighting or fire drills by the fire brigade
• Tiki torches, small recreational fires at designated picnic or camping areas in permanent fire pits or fire grates with a flame length not exceeding 4 feet (1.22 m) and supervised by a “responsible person” 21 years of age or older.
“When Level 1 fire restrictions are issued, it is to protect public health, safety and welfare due to current and/or forecasted hot, dry and windy conditions that result in an above-average fire risk,” the city’s website states.
For more information, visit crgov.com/firebans. Questions about the current status of fire restrictions in the city can be directed to the Fire Chief’s office at 303-660-1066.
