The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office announced that Stage II fire restrictions will be placed in effect throughout the unincorporated area of Chaffee County effective Friday, June 28, at 6am.  This action is taken in view of the very dry and windy conditions that persist throughout the region.  Although some light precipitation is possible in our area, no significant improvement in weather conditions is forecast for the immediate future. The ordinance applies throughout the unincorporated areas of Chaffee County, including public, private, state, and applicable federal lands. 

Stage II restrictions prohibit building, maintaining, or attending any open fire within Chaffee County, including campfires and charcoal grills.  In addition, the following activities are specifically prohibited:

**Using explosive material such as fireworks, blasting caps or any incendiary device that may result in ignition of flammable material.

**Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building or in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

**Welding, or operating an acetylene or similar torch, except in an area 20 feet in diameter cleared of flammable material.

**Using any internal combustion engines and chainsaws, except under certain limited conditions specified by the ordinance.

The only exceptions to the ban are:

**LP gas or liquid fueled stoves that allow the operator to turn the appliance on or off. 

**Fireplaces within enclosed buildings equipped with fire screens on the flue.

Federal Stage II fire restrictions are in place on US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands.

Our website is updated every morning with the latest information on fire restrictions within the county.  www.chaffeesheriff.org