Per Manitou Springs Ordinance No. 1022, Section 6.34.050 - Fire Danger Declarations, I am ordering that effective immediately, Friday, June 3rd, 2022, the City of Manitou Springs is moving to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. The lessening of prohibited activities is based on recent weather conditions with increased precipitation. While these events are described as anomalies of the predicted weather outlook, they do provide some relief by slightly increasing fuel moistures and improving green up of vegetation.
As an integral component of directing these orders, I am thankful and want to recognize the extensive cooperation with members of the Pikes Peak Region Wildfire Preparedness Group (PPRWPG). The thoughtful data analysis and local and regional opinion of resource availability shared by members of the PPRWG is invaluable.
Stage 1 Restrictions are defined as follows:
Open fires and open burning are prohibited, except for fires in permanently constructed fire rings within the city's RV and camping parks; private residential charcoal grills and smokers, wood burning fireplaces (chiminea), or fire pits, provided they have proper fitting screen covers and they are separated by at least 15-feet from structures or other combustible material.
Outdoor smoking of any tobacco product or similar material in cigarettes, cigars, or pipes is prohibited, except that smoking is permitted within 15 feet of a city-approved disposal receptacle at city approved locations. Discarding lighted cigarettes, cigars or pipe tobacco products outdoors, other than in a city-approved receptacle is also prohibited.
These restrictions do not apply to gas-fueled grills used out-of-doors, or to fires within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves. Additionally, compliant fireplaces and wood-burning stoves within private residences are not included.
Restrictions will be adjusted accordingly as fire danger, resources, and predicted weather conditions change.
John K. Forsett, Fire Chief, City of Manitou Springs