PRESS RELEASE: Manitou Springs Moves to Stage 2 Burn Ban

14-May-2022

Mr. Mayor and Members of City Council,

Because of current and expected dry and windy conditions, increased fire activity, and resource concerns, effective at 12:00pm (noon), Monday, May 16th, 2022, I am ordering Stage 2 Burn Ban Orders for the City of Manitou Springs. This ban is in alignment with and made through extensive cooperation and input from all members of the Pikes Peak Regional Wildfire Group. This group is made up of members from El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, North-East Teller Fire Protection District (Teller County), Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District, the City of Manitou Springs Fire Department, Black Forest Fire Protection District, City of Fountain Fire Department, City of Colorado Springs Fire Department, Colorado State Division of Fire Prevention and Control, the United Stated Forest Service, Colorado Springs Utilities, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Members of this group have scheduled to hold a joint press conference starting at 11:00am Monday, May 16, 2022, at the Colorado Springs Fire Department Complex located at 375 Printers Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO.

Current vegetation conditions due to drought, consistent wind events and regional resources responding to significant regional and statewide fire incidents require our region to act in coordinated fashion to protect our environment, citizens, businesses and first responders.

Stage 2 Burn Ban Orders

1. All open fires and open burning are prohibited, including without limitation all cooking fires, recreational fires, campfires and warming fires, all solid fuel burning fireplaces (such as fire pits, fire tables, and chimineas) and cooking appliances (such as charcoal BBQ grills, pellet smokers and BBQ grills).

2. Outdoor smoking of tobacco products or similar material in cigarettes, cigars, or pipes is prohibited except in designated areas where a noncombustible container with a secured lid designed for the purpose of disposal of smoking materials is provided.

   Discarding lighted cigarettes, cigars or pipe tobacco products outdoors is also prohibited.

3. The sale and use of fireworks and the use of explosives (not limited to fireworks), fuses or blasting caps and rockets is prohibited.

4. The outdoor use or operation of any equipment that may emit sparks (such as a grinder or chain saw) or that involves an open flame (such as welding equipment) without a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher equal to or exceeding a rating of 2A 10BC readily available to the operator is prohibited.

These restrictions do not apply to gas-fueled grills used out-of-doors, or to fires within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves, provided they are at least 10 feet from combustible material (not including a private residential structure). Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves within private residences that are compliant with the city’s building and fire codes, are not subject to these restrictions.

Please continue to share with our community that the Fire Department is eager to schedule and perform wildfire mitigation property assessments for them. Our assessment is of no charge and can be scheduled by calling the Fire Department’s business phone number at (719) 685-1444.

As always, restrictions will be adjusted accordingly as fire danger, resources, and predicted weather conditions change.

Respectfully Submitted,

John K. Forsett, Fire Chief, City of Manitou Springs

2022 Awards Banquet

MSFD celebrated its 71st annual awards banquet, hosted at the Craftwood Inn.

Mayor John Graham administered the firefighter oath of office to volunteers David Tomlinson, Michelle Moeller, Laura Breen, Elizabeth Guess, Ben Engelhardt, Mark Wong, Austin Breen, Steve Schopper, and Marcus Witting.

Newt Dunblazier, David Malinaric, and David Crawford were recognized for completing their probationary year, and were pinned with the MSFD firefighter badge. Michael Willie was also recognized for his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant.

Marcus Witting was recognized for completing the most training hours in 2021, coming in at 280 total hours.

The following individuals have reached milestone years of service – 5 years: Cindy Duncan, Molly Geiger, Kenzie Buckmiller. 10 years: Ben Engelhardt. 30 years: Keith Buckmiller.

Firefighters received patches for their total number of fire call responses over their years of service – 35: Newt Dunblazier, David Malinaric. 100: Austin Breen, Cindy Duncan, Elizabeth Guess. 200: Molly Geiger, Amanda Malinaric. 400: Alex Keylin. 500: Dave Pamplin. 700: Josh Maul. 800: Keith Buckmiller. 2300: Linda Radice.

Lt. Larry Mitchell was honored upon his retirement from MSFD. He served as a full time firefighter/paramedic, city fire inspector, building and facilities manager, fire prevention coordinator, and many other roles.

Firefighter Newt Dunblazier received MSFD’s Firefighter of the Year Award for his dedication to training and responding to incidents.

PRESS RELEASE: Manitou Springs Moves to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

MANITOU SPRINGS CO – Because of current and expected dry and windy conditions, effective immediately, Manitou Springs Fire Chief, John K. Forsett, is ordering Stage 1 Fire Restrictions for the City of Manitou Springs.  These restrictions are in alignment with El Paso County and the City of Colorado Springs.

Chief Forsett commented on the decision, stating “Current vegetation conditions due to drought, consistent wind events and regional resources responding to significant regional and statewide fire incidents require our community to acknowledge the heightened risk for potential fire activity and remain vigilant to protect our citizens, businesses and first responders.”

Stage 1 Restrictions are defined as follows:

1. Open Burning Ban, defined as the prohibited use of any outside fire, including campfires and warming fires.

   • This current ban excludes fires in permanently constructed fire rings within the city’s RV and Camping Parks; and charcoal grills and smokers, and wood burning fireplaces, (chiminia) or fire pits with proper fitting screen covers and with a minimum of 15’ separation from structures or other combustible material at private residences.  None of these exclusions permit a total fuel area greater than 3 feet in diameter, and all must have a flame height of less than 2 feet.

2. Outdoor Smoking Ban, defined as the prohibited use of any tobacco product or similar material in cigarettes, cigars, or pipes outdoors.  This excludes smoking in enclosed buildings or structures, and along Manitou Avenue.  Discarding of a lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe tobacco product is strictly 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.

Additionally, Chief Forsett has ordered that during any period of Red Flag* condition issued by the National Weather Service for any area involving Manitou Springs, Stage 2 Burn Ban Orders will be in effect.  These are defined below.

Stage 2 Burn Ban Orders:

1. Open Burning Ban, defined as the prohibited use of any outside fire. This includes all campfires and warming fires, all solid fuel burning fireplaces (e.g. fire pits, fire tables, and chimineas) and cooking appliances (e.g. charcoal BBQ grills, pellet smokers and BBQ grills).

   • This ban excludes Liquid Propane (LP) fueled or gas fueled open flame cooking devices, (e.g. LP BBQ grills or camping stoves) with a 10’ separation from combustible materials, (clearance not applicable to single-family homes).  Additionally, this ban does not apply to compliant fireplaces and wood-burning stoves within private residences.

2. Outdoor Smoking Ban, defined as the prohibited use of any tobacco product or similar material in cigarettes, cigars, or pipes outdoors.  This excludes smoking in enclosed buildings or structures, and along Manitou Avenue.  Discarding of a lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe tobacco product is strictly prohibited.

3. Prohibited Sale and Use of Fireworks and explosives, defined as sale of any and all types of fireworks, and use of any explosives not limited to fireworks, fuses or blasting caps and rockets.

4. Dangerous Equipment Use, defined as the use or operation of any equipment outdoors that emits sparks (e.g. grinder, chain saw) or open flame (e.g. welding or operating an acetylene or other torch) without a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher equal to or exceeding a rating of 2A 10BC readily available to the operator.

*Definition:

A Red Flag Warning means warm temperatures, very low humidity’s, and strong winds are expected to combine to produce increased risk of fire danger.  These conditions are independent of antecedent weather, fuel types, and fuel moistures for the region.

As always, restrictions will be adjusted accordingly as fire danger, resources, and predicted weather conditions change.

PRESS RELEASE: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Rescinded; Stage 2 Burn Ban Ordered During Red Flag Days

Note: Please read this entire notification as it contains two changes related to Fire Declaration Orders. 

Effective immediately, Friday, February 25th, 2022, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions enacted on 25-September-2021 are rescinded for the City of Manitou Springs.  Through extensive cooperation with members of the Pikes Peak Region Wildfire Preparedness Group, it is the groups opinion that current conditions are not present that warrant prolonged heightened wildfire awareness. 

Additionally, because of inherent dangers not addressed through ordinances or orders pertaining to restrictions and bans, I am ordering without expiration date or time, that during any period of Red Flag*1 condition issued by the National Weather Service for any area involving Manitou Springs, Stage 2 Burn Ban Orders will be in effect.  These are defined below.

Stage 2 Burn Ban Orders

1.        Open Burning Ban, defined as the prohibited use of any outside fire. This includes all campfires and warming fires, all solid fuel burning fireplaces (e.g. fire pits, fire tables, and chimineas) and cooking appliances (e.g. charcoal BBQ grills, pellet smokers and BBQ grills).

This ban excludes Liquid Propane (LP) fueled or gas fueled open flame cooking devices, (e.g. LP BBQ grills or camping stoves) with a 10’ separation from combustible materials, (clearance not applicable to single-family homes).  Additionally, this ban does not apply to compliant fireplaces and wood-burning stoves within private residences.

2.        Outdoor Smoking Ban, defined as the prohibited use of any tobacco product or similar material in cigarettes, cigars, or pipes outdoors.  This excludes smoking in enclosed buildings or structures, and along Manitou Avenue.  Discarding of a lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe tobacco products is strictly prohibited.

3.        Prohibited Sale and Use of Fireworks and explosives, defined as sale of any and all types of fireworks, and use of any explosives not limited to fireworks, fuses or blasting caps and rockets.

4.        Dangerous Equipment Use, defined as the use or operation of any equipment outdoors that emits sparks (e.g. grinder, chain saw) or open flame (e.g. welding or operating an acetylene or other torch) without a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher equal to or exceeding a rating of 2A 10BC readily available to the operator.

 *1Definition

A Red Flag Warning means warm temperatures, very low humidity’s, and strong winds are expected to combine to produce increased risk of fire danger.  These conditions are independent of antecedent weather, fuel types, and fuel moistures for the region.

Restrictions will be adjusted accordingly as fire danger, resources, and predicted weather conditions change.

Respectfully Submitted,

John K. Forsett, Fire Chief, City of Manitou Springs

2021 MSFD Annual Report

“The Manitou Springs Fire Department as always, continued to provide excellent, compassionate, and professional All-Hazards Emergency Services, exemplifying the department’s motto, “Neighbors Serving Neighbors”. In reviewing the data in this report, it is my desire that everyone recognizes the valuable asset they have in the Manitou Springs Fire Department, and how much each of its members gives to our community to provide unwavered service.”

– Chief John Forsett

2020 MSFD Annual Report

2020 was a very memorable year for everyone worldwide because of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the Manitou Springs Fire Department, the pandemic provided many opportunities for change, particularly as they pertained to providing emergency medical care in the field. Everything from personal protective gear ensembles and use, to emergency medical guidelines became very dynamic. Even under the difficult circumstances of COVID- 19, the department worked very hard to maintain unmatched professional services to our community.

Press Release: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Rescinded

03/01/2021: Through recent discussions and review of area fuel moistures, there is currently no longer a need for Fire Restrictions. At noon today March 1, 2021, in cooperation with our region partners, and to ensure consistent messaging for the local community, I am ordering that all Fire Restrictions are rescinded.

While we have had some recent moisture, conditions could still rapidly deteriorate as we move into the warmer seasons. Because of this, the members of the Pikes Peak Wildfire Preparedness Group will continue to meet weekly to discuss weather predictions, drought conditions, fuel moistures, personnel and equipment resources and fire activity throughout the region and the state.