Article Contributed on: 7/22/2008 3:30:04 PM
Adams County Sheriff Doug Darr has been closely monitoring the fire conditions in Adams County and has determined that the existing conditions present an extreme fire danger. In an effort to protect the citizens, communities and property in Adams County, Sheriff Darr has issued a ban on all open fires and open burning within unincorporated Adams County. This Open Burning Ban is effective on Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 12:01 a.m. and will remain in effect until this order is formally rescinded, or suspended by Sheriff Darr.
Because of these conditions, the Adams County Sheriff has declared A FIRE HAZARD - EMERGENCY BAN ON OPEN FIRES. The ban includes the following restrictions.
The Adams County Sheriff forthwith bans all open fires and open burning within unincorporated Adams County until this order is rescinded or temporarily suspended.
· Open Fire or Open Burning is defined as any outdoor fire including, but not limited to, campfires, warming fires, fires in wood-burning stoves that create sparks, burning of fence lines or rows, fields, farmlands, rangelands, wildlands, trash or debris.
· Fireworks that are used in an unsafe or imprudent manner which result in the violation of any Colorado State law.
· Smoking, except within a closed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while located in an area of at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all combustible materials.
NOTE: Burn permits issued and not executed prior to the effective date of this Fire Restriction shall not be authorized unless approved by the issuing agency on the date of execution.
This order applies to all lands within unincorporated Adams County. It does not have authority over Federal lands.
Exemptions approved under this Fire Restriction.
· Persons with a valid written permit from the appropriate fire authority, which specifically authorizes the prohibited act.
· Individuals or organizations that have a legitimate need to conduct controlled burns shall first obtain the approval of the appropriate Fire Authority or Department. Fire officials may grant or deny approval based upon a variety of factors, including weather conditions, legitimate safety issues, and quantities of combustible materials to be burned.
· Any federal, state, or local law enforcement or fire officer acting in the performance of an official duty.
· Any fires contained within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves.
· Charcoal grill fires at private residences.
· Campfires or bonfires required in religious ceremonies and for which a valid written permit has been granted in advance by the local fire department or district.
· Permissible fireworks, provided that all combustible materials are adequately removed from around the site where the fireworks are to be used.
Individuals operating under any of the above exemptions shall take adequate measures to prevent uncontrolled fires. Possible measures include, but are not limited to:
· Containers of adequate water or dry soil nearby;
· Shovels, fire extinguishers, or other extinguishing agents nearby;
· Coordination with the local fire department or district to be on the scene or on standby during the activity.
Violations of the Open Burning Ban could result in criminal charges. The actual criminal offense(s) charged would depend on the circumstances.