Stage II Fire Restrictions (from Chaffee County Ordinance Number 2006-02)

Prohibits building, maintaining, or attending any “open fire” (see definition below) within Chaffee County.  The ordinance applies “throughout the unincorporated* areas of Chaffee County, including public, private, state, and applicable federal lands. **”

In addition, the following activities are specifically prohibited:

• • Using fireworks or other explosive material 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 combustion engines and chainsaws, except under certain limited conditions specified by the ordinance.

Exempt from Stage II restrictions (and therefore allowed by the ban):

• • 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.

Further discussion

A Stage II ban is more restrictive than a Stage I and is one step short of a total fire ban.  Citizens are prohibited from burning trash, leaf piles, setting off fireworks, having a campfire, and even smoking.  They may use a proper camp stove at their campsite, or enjoy a fireplace or cook on their charcoal grill but only at their residence.

*This ban applies to the unincorporated areas of the county.  However, the City of Salida does not allow open burning within the city unless it is a permitted agricultural burn or a campfire. Salida residents should direct their questions to Salida Fire Department at 539-2212.  Salida Fire Chief Don Taylor assures us that in the event the County imposes a Stage II restriction, the City of Salida will follow suit.

*Buena Vista authorities have agreed that they will comply with the fire restrictions declared by County authorities so essentially, any ban declared by the county sheriff is consistent throughout the county.

**A Federal public land Stage II fire ban is even more restrictive than ours.  Callers intending to use a BLM or Forest Service campground should check with those authorities on specific prohibitions.

Federal land fire managers may declare their own status, but generally all of our jurisdictions try to be consistent throughout the county, and we confer before declaring any restrictions.

Definition of Open Fire:  Any outdoor fire or burn, including but not limited to, campfires, warming fires, charcoal fires, any type of charcoal-fueled broilers or bar-b-que grills, fires in wood-burning stoves, and the prescribed burning of trash and debris, and of agricultural lands (irrigation ditches, etc.).

…Under a Stage II ban, most of these are prohibited.