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Effective immediately, Friday, February 25th, 2022, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions enacted on 25-September-2021 are rescinded for the City of Manitou Springs.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