2007 Fire Restrictions in Routt County

What are the Restrictions?

The Routt County Commissioners Have Intitiated A Countywide Fire Restriction Per Ordinance 99-1 Effective Wednesday, July 11, 2007 AT 12:01 am.

The Fire Restriction applies to all private and state owned lands outside municipal boundaries. There may also be restrictions within city/town and federal lands. Please call the Routt County Sheriff’s Office or public land management agency for more information on fire restrictions and fire safety.

SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES RESTRICTED INCLUDE:

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using any fire to burn trash, debris, fencerows or vegetation, any campfire, warming fire, charcoal grill, except in designated campgrounds, picnic areas or developed recreational sites.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area of at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
3. Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arresting device properly installed and in effective working order, and chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of not less than eight (8) ounces capacity by weight, and one (1) round pointed shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches. The extinguisher shall be with the chainsaw operator. The shovel may be kept with the fueling supplies but readily available for quick use.
4. Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except within an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable material at least 10 feet on all sides from the equipment.
5. Using explosives requiring fuse-blasting caps.

EXEMPTIONS FROM FIRE RESTRICTION INCLUDE:

1. Persons with a valid written permit from the jurisdictional federal agency or the Routt County Sheriff and which specifically authorize the prohibited act.
2. Any federal, state, or local office or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of official duty.
3. Any fires contained within liquid-fueled or gas fueled stoves, fireplaces within buildings, charcoal grill fires at private residences, and permanent fire pits or fire grates located in developed picnic grounds and campgrounds.
4. Burning of irrigation ditches located within and completely surrounded by irrigated farmlands where such burning is necessary for crop survival and the Routt County Sheriff has granted specific written permit in advance.

THIS ORDER BECOMES EFFECTIVE AT 12:01 am ON JULY 11, 2007 AND WILL REMAIN IN FORCE UNTIL RESCINDED BY THE ROUTT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do these restrictions apply to Steamboat Springs? No. The City of Steamboat Springs currently does not have any fire restrictions. These restrictions do apply to those residing in the Steamboat Springs Rural Fire Protection District.
2. Can I use my barbeque grill? Yes. You may use either a propane grill/campstove or a charcoal grill. If it is a charcoal grill, it must be at a private residence or in an established grate/grill/pit at an established picnic or campground.
3. Do these restrictions apply to the National Forest and Wilderness Areas? Yes. The U.S. Forest Service and other areas in northwest Colorado have implemented fire restrictions on the Routt National Forest including wilderness areas.
4. How long will the Fire Restrictions be in effect? These restrictions shall remain in effect until such time the fire danger decreases - currrent estimation is October, 2006.
5. What if I have a recreational burn permit? Recreational burn permits issued within the City of Steamboat Springs will still be allowed. New permit applications will be evaluated carefully. Contact the Fire Marshall's office (970-871-8216) for specifics on your permit.
6. What if I violate the Fire Restrictions? Those violating the Fire Restrictions can receive an incremental fine based the Uniform Fire Code and state statutes. Criminal charges could also be applicable if an incident results in property damage or loss of life.
7. What about restrictions in other counties? Fire Restrictions and Fire Bans are done on a county by county basis. Check with the local Sherrif's office for restrictions in that county.