A combination of rising temperatures and dry conditions have put Falcon under a Stage I fire restriction. Falcon Fire District Deputy Jeff Petersma said the El Paso County sheriff and the deputy fire marshal enforced the restriction in early May, and it will remain in effect until conditions improve.According to El Paso County Ordinance Number 02-02, passed, Stage I restriction prohibits:1. Open burning, excepting fires and campfires within permanently constructed fire grates in developed campgrounds and picnic grounds; charcoal grills and wood burning stoves at private residences in areas cleared of all flammable materialsAll open burning is banned, with a few exceptions (explained below).2. The sale or use of fireworks3. Outdoor smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materialsThe ordinance clarifies that Stage I restrictions do not include “fires contained within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves, indoor fireplaces and wood-burning stoves, outdoor charcoal grills and wood-burning stoves, providing they are at private residences and in an area cleared of all flammable materials including dry vegetation.”There are numerous ways for a wildfire to start. “A lot [of wildfires] are caused by individuals throwing cigarettes out the windows or steel cords from a faulty tire, kids playing with matches, cutting torches or welding [equipment],” Petersma said.With dry conditions, he said one of the more common ways for wildfires to start is by dry lighting. “[Dry lighting] comes with a thunderstorm that has little to no moisture and may have air to ground lighting,” he said.There are different levels of burn restrictions, he added. If conditions do not improve, Falcon could move from Stage I to Stage II. “Some of the burn bans include no smoking outside a dwelling or a vehicle,” he said. “It can get that strict.” Although Falcon is not yet under that level of restriction, Petersma still advised the public to take extra precautions.In addition to using common sense, he suggested keeping grasses cut low. “If it is cut low in the forested areas and grasslands, (in case a fire comes through) it doesn’t have as much fuel to burn,” he said. Petersma also suggested moving “fuels” for fire starters like pine needles and firewood away from the house to mitigate lost homes and other structures from wildfires.In a press release issued by the county, Sheriff Maketa reinforced Petersma’s suggestions. “All of us need to be cautious and exercise extreme care during this period of high fire danger. A simple act, such as throwing a cigarette out of a car window, which is both illegal and extremely irresponsible, can cause enormous damage to life and personal property and be costly to fight.”Violations of Stage I restrictions may result in a fine of up to $600 and violations of Stage II restrictions may result in a fine of up to $1,000.
