On Saturday, May 14, Manitou Springs Fire Chief John K. Forsett notified Mayor John Graham and City Council that he was ordering Stage 2 burn ban orders for the city.
In accordance with other member municipalities in the Pikes Peak Regional Wildfire Group, the ban took effect at noon Monday, May 16.
“Current vegetation conditions due to drought, consistent wind events and regional resources responding to significant regional and statewide fire incidents require our region to act in coordinated fashion to protect our environment, citizens, businesses and first responders,” Forsett wrote.
All open fires and open burning are prohibited, including all cooking fires, recreational fires, campfires and warming fires, all solid-fuel burning fireplaces (such as fire pits, fire tables and chimineas) and cooking appliances (such as barbeque grills and pellet smokers.
Other prohibitions:
• Outdoor smoking of tobacco products except in designated areas, where a noncombustible container with a secured lid designed for disposal of smoking materials is provided;
• Discarding lighted cigarettes, cigars or pipe tobacco products outdoors;
• The sale and use of fireworks, explosives, fuses or blasting caps and rockets; and
• The outdoor use of any equipment that may emit sparks (such as a grinder or chain saw) or that involves an open flame (such as welding equipment) without a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher equal to or exceeding a rating of 2A 10BC readily available to the operator.
These restrictions do not apply to gas-fueled grills used outdoors or to fires in liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves, provided they are at least 10 feet from combustible material (not including a private residential structure).
Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves in private residences that comply with the city’s building and fire codes are not subject to these restrictions.
Restrictions will be adjusted as fire danger, resources and predicted weather conditions change.
The Manitou Springs Fire Department is available to conduct wildfire mitigation property assessments for residents and property owners. Assessments are free; call 685-1444 to schedule.