The El Paso County Sheriff’s Department has announced a Stage I fire ban for unincorporated El Paso County because of dry weather conditions across the county.The following activities are prohibited during Stage I restrictions:
- Open burning defined as campfires and warming fires (except in permanently constructed fire grates in developed campgrounds and picnic grounds); charcoal grills and outdoor wood burning stoves (except at private residences in areas cleared of all flammable materials); the use of explosives, outdoor welding or use of acetylene or other torch with open flame other than in an area cleared of all flammable materials; fires contained within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves are permitted.
- The use or sale of fireworks of all kinds
- 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 materials
