Larimer County issued a fire ban Tuesday morning amid drought conditions that are expected to continue into the coming weeks despite recent precipitation.
The ban is a step up from the fire restrictions that the county implemented in March, and prohibit any open fires in unincorporated areas of Larimer County, including in enclosed fire pits or outdoor ovens. Exceptions are made for gas fireplaces, propane grills and “anything you can turn off,” according to Larimer County Sheriff’s Department Chief of Emergency Services Justin Whitesell.
Fireworks are also prohibited under a ban, as is smoking near any combustible material unless inside a vehicle or other enclosed area.
Whitesell noted that residents might be surprised to see tightening fire rules given the precipitation.
“When we look out the window, some people might question why we’re talking about a fire ban right now,” Whitesell told the Larimer County Commissioners on Tuesday morning, as snow showers poured outside and heavy snow was in the forecast for Wednesday morning. “While there is moisture, it’s not anything significant or that will pull us out of the drought, or offset fire danger for any extended period of time. It’s going to be a short-lived relief that we’re going to see.”
Temperatures are expected to rise back into the 70s by the end of this week, he said, and this winter, the warmest and driest on record, produced enough drought conditions that a few days of snow wouldn’t be able to reverse the trend towards fire risk.
The county has already seen three wildland fires since enacting the restrictions in March, Whitesell said, and while all were contained, the incidents demonstrated the risk that dry plant material, high winds and consistently high temperatures pose.
The Sheriff’s Office will return to the commissioners on May 26 to talk about the fire conditions at that time, including the impacts on fireworks, and consider whether bans should continue.
“It is a weird day for you to be coming here, I think that gives people some false hope,” Commissioner Kristin Stephens said of the precipitation outside Tuesday. “Some of the snow will sink in I suppose, but not enough to make the kind of difference that we need. I looked at the forecast and it could be 80 six days from now, but welcome to spring in Colorado.”
Stephens also asked what communications were being made to tourists to the area that might be unfamiliar with the fire rules.
“I’m hoping that our tourism boards and groups help us push that message out, because I think the people visiting are more confused about what they can do,” Stephens said.
Whitesell said that such efforts were underway, including posted information at outdoor retailers like REI and Jax.
Nearby authorities, such ase Boulder County and the U.S. Forest Service were also considering their own bans, Whitesell said.
“The Sheriff had talked to Boulder County, and they were looking at going to a fire ban, so he felt it was good to get ahead of it rather than waiting,” he said.
