Park County, CO - The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag Warning for Park County due to wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from noon to 8 PM MDT Saturday, April 12. Winds will be Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Relative humidity may be as low as 7 percent and conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread.
Per Sheriff McGraw, the county-wide Stage 1 Fire Ban continues to be in effect until further notice. Please use extreme caution as the threat of dangerous wildland and grass fires is high. Review the prohibited activities in County Ordinance 21-04 included below.
The following acts are PROHIBITED on ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY until further notice:
- Building, maintaining, attending or using open burning or an open fire as defined in Section 5.f. of County Ordinance 21-04, except on Forest Service land in paid hosted camping areas.
- Target shooting and recreational shooting is prohibited, including the Forestry areas. The only exception to this will be the Como shooting range. POSTED RANGE RULES MUST BE FOLLOWED.
- Blasting, or other activities, which generate flame or flammable material.
- Outdoor hot work without a pressurized water system or at least a 7lb. ABC or 2 ½ gallon pressurized or equivalent fire extinguisher, and large size pointed shovel readily available for quick use.
- Fireworks and model rocketry.
- Smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
- Operating a chain saw without a pressurized water system or at least a 7lb ABC or 2 ½ gallon pressurized or equivalent fire extinguisher, and large size pointed shovel readily available for quick use.
Exceptions:
- Persons with a written exemption from their District Fire Chief that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
- Persons using a fire solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels.
- Any Federal, State or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
- Approved fully contained outdoor wood burning furnace/boiler.
- For commercial operations authorized under contract or permit, internal and external combustion engines may be operated as approved by the Forest Service within designated areas.
- Licensed hunters that are actively pursuing game.
- Target and recreational shooting with LEAD ONLY is permitted on private property when the owner or lessee of such private property, or the owner or lessee’s employee, is present and supervising.
Citations for violations will start at $500 and increase to $1000. Thank you for your cooperation.
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