New station and outdoor fires

Station 4 ground breakingThe Falcon Fire Protection District and contractor Hammers Construction Inc. held a ground breaking ceremony June 15 for a new fire station located at 2710 Capital Drive in Colorado Springs (northeast of Constitution Avenue and Marksheffel Road).Station 4 will be the districtís third staffed station. The 8,362-square-foot building will have firefighter living quarters that can accommodate eight personnel, three apparatus bays, a workout room and a meeting room. Station 4 will initially house an engine, a brush truck and a water tender. The project is estimated to be completed in early 2017 at a cost of $1,770,000.Although the new station is designated as Station 4, it is actually FFPDís fifth fire station. FFPDís fire stations are not numbered in the order they are built. Rather, each station shares the number of the response zone (district) within FFPDís jurisdiction. Station 4 received its number because it is located in FFPD response zone/District 4.Once the station opens, overall response times to zone/District 4 are expected to decrease. This area has the third highest call volume of FFPDís six response zones.Fire pits and outdoor fireplacesAs fire pits and outdoor fireplaces continue to gain popularity, the number of fires and injuries attributed to them has increased. The National Fire Protection Association reports that outdoor fireplaces and fire pits caused 3,700 grass and brush fires in recent years. Between 2006-2012, the number of injuries related to patio heaters and fire pits nearly doubled, from 1,330 to 3,608.FFPD offers the following tips to help residents safely enjoy their outdoor entertainment.

• Location: Fire codes specify that outdoor fireplaces and fire pits must be a certain distance from structures (houses and decks, barns, sheds) and combustible materials (wooden fencing, woodpiles, bushes and trees).
• 25 feet: permanently installed fire pits or outdoor fireplaces
• 15 feet: portable outdoor fireplaces, or manufactured freestanding fire pits equipped with side screens and a cover

In addition, dry grass, leaves and other combustible vegetation must be cleared for a minimum of 10 feet around the fire area. Do not use portable fire pits or fireplaces on wooden decks.What to burn and how: The fuel area for all types of fire pits and portable fireplaces cannot exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height. Limit fuels so that flame lengths do not exceed 36 inches at any time.For units that burn solid fuel (wood), use only dry or seasoned natural firewood cut in lengths less than 2 feet. Hardwoods are preferable to pine or cedar, which can pop and throw sparks.Do not burn yard waste, trash, cardboard, paper or construction debris in fire pits or outdoor fireplaces.General safety tips:

• Do not use flammable fluids (gasoline, lighter fluid, etc.) to light or relight fires.
• If the fire pit or fireplace is equipped with a screen, use it to keep sparks and embers contained.
• Keep children, pets and anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from open flames.
• Do not leave fires unattended. An adult should stay with the fire from the time it is ignited until it is extinguished.
• Keep a fire extinguisher or garden hose nearby.
• Do not burn during Red Flag Warning conditions or when burn bans are in effect. Avoid burning on windy, dry days.
• Dispose of ashes only when they are cold and completely extinguished.

More information on outdoor fires can be found on the FFPD website (http://falconfirepd.org). Click on the ìOutdoor Fire and Open Burning Infoî button on the right side of the page.