The Manitou Springs Fire Department is reminding residents that, even though the Pikes Peak region has been seeing snow, we’re not free of fire danger.
“There remains a lack of moisture, low relative humidity (RH) and intermittent wind events that continue to dry out fuels,” MSFD Chief John Forsett said. “This creates conditions that allow for fire to start easily and grow quickly.”
Residents and visitors should remember that, per Ordinance 1722, whenever the National Weather Service issues a red flag warning for this area, Stage 2 burn ban orders will be in effect.
They include:
- Open burning ban, defined as the prohibited use of any outside fire. This includes all campfires and warming fires, all solid fuel-burning fireplaces (fire pits, fire tables, chimineas, etc.) and cooking appliances (charcoal barbeque grills or pellet smokers and barbeque grills).
- This ban excludes liquid propane-fueled or gas-fueled open-flame cooking devices (such as liquid propane barbeque grills or camping stoves) with a 10-foot separation from combustible materials (clearance not applicable to single-family homes). The ban does not apply to compliant fireplaces and wood-burning stoves inside homes.
- Outdoor smoking ban, 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.
- Prohibited sale and use of fireworks and explosives, defined as sale of any and all types of fireworks, and use of any explosives not limited to fireworks, fuses or blasting caps and rockets.
- Dangerous equipment use, defined as the operation of any equipment outdoors that emits sparks (such as grinder or chainsaw) or open flame (welding or operating an acetylene or other torch) without a chemical-pressurized fire extinguisher equal to or exceeding a rating of 2A 10BC readily available to the operator.
As always, restrictions will be adjusted accordingly as fire danger, resources and predicted weather conditions change.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is forecasting higher temperatures and windy conditions in Manitou for the weekend.