This fire conditions sign is on the Washington Bypass near 7 Minute Spring.
To protect the quality of life of the Manitou Springs community and to respond to a lack of moisture in our surrounding vegetation, Fire Chief John Forsett has ordered Stage 1 fire restrictions. This results in an open-burning ban and an outdoor-smoking ban.
The first is defined as the prohibited use of any outside fire, including campfires and warming fires. It excludes fires in permanently constructed fire rings in the city’s RV and camping parks; and charcoal grills and smokers, and wood-burning fireplaces, chimineas or fire pits with proper-fitting screen covers and with a minimum of 15-feet separation from structures or other combustible materials at private residences.
The total fuel area must not be larger than 3 feet in diameter, and all must have a flame height of less than 2 feet.
These restrictions do not apply to gas-fueled grills used out-of-doors, or to fires within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves.
Additionally, compliant fireplaces and wood-burning stoves within private residences are not included.
The outdoor-smoking ban is 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.
As always, restrictions will be adjusted accordingly as fire danger, resources, and predicted weather conditions change.
These bans also have been imposed throughout unincorporated El Paso County.