Summit County Board of County Commissioners Adopt Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
Additional restrictions placed on open fires

Contacts:
Scott Vargo, Summit County Manager: 970-485-1880
Erin Opsahl, Summit County Sheriff's Office: 970-423-8901

SUMMIT COUNTY – A resolution imposing Stage 2 level fire restrictions was enacted today by the Summit County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) at the request of the Summit County Sheriff Jaime Fitzsimons and with the concurrence of local fire districts.

The BOCC first adopted Stage 1 level fire restrictions on June 12, 2018.  The resolution adopted today places additional restrictions on open fires within Summit County due to the increasingly dangerous fire conditions, extremely dry forest conditions and the existence of wildfires regionally, including neighboring Grand County and Park County.

The Stage 2 level restrictions adopted by the BOCC regulate “open burning” as follows:

The term “open burning” means any outdoor fire, including but not limited to campfires, warming fires, charcoal grill fires, explosives, fireworks, and any other activity that poses a significant risk of starting a fire.  In addition, the following activities are expressly prohibited to the extent not otherwise prohibited above:  
i. Disposing of any burning object outdoors, including without limitation cigarettes, marijuana, cigars or matches.
ii. Selling fireworks.
iii. Operating a chainsaw without an approved spark arrester, 5 gallons of water, a 2A10BC classified dry chemical fire extinguisher and a round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches. The fire extinguisher will be immediately accessible to the equipment operator. The water and shovel may be kept with fueling supplies but readily available for use.
iv. Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame outdoors.
v. Inflating or propelling hot air balloons.
vi. Smoking is prohibited, except in an enclosed vehicle or building.

EXEMPTIONS.  The term “open burning” does not include fires in:
i. Liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves, grills or lanterns that include shut-off valves, which are permitted when used in an area at least three feet or more from flammable materials such as grasses or pine needles.
ii. Fireplaces contained within buildings.    
In addition to the Stage 2 level restrictions the Summit County Public Shooting Range has also been closed indefinitely.

"Summit County residents are keenly aware of our considerable wildfire risks and increased restrictions are necessary to reduce that risk within our community," County Commissioner Dan Gibbs said.

The full text of the approved Resolution 2018-39 is available here.