Lakewood, Jeffco impose precautionary burn restrictions

LAKEWOOD – The city issued a series of fire restrictions Wednesday, joining Jefferson County authorities and those in 13 other Colorado counties that imposed curbs on activities that could cause more fires in tinder-dry areas of the state.

Lakewood’s restrictions include banning both campfires and charcoal fires at the popular Bear Creek Lake Park on West Morrison Road just east of C-470 and a ban on charcoal fires at Thunder Valley Motorcycle Park at 701 S. Rooney Road. Campfires are prohibited on all other city parkland.

The city will allow charcoal barbecue only in the existing grates at picnic shelters in the neighborhood and other Lakewood urban parks for the duration of the fire restrictions.  Park visitors are prohibited from bringing barbecue grills into the city’s parks.

The city’s fire restrictions went into place immediately Wednesday and charcoal will be posted at Bear Creek Lake Park and Thunder Valley.

“Given the current fire conditions, residents are encouraged to use caution when operating chain saws, welding torches or other mechanical equipment at their homes,” according to a city spokeswoman. “Residents should also exercise caution when smoking outdoors or if they use backyard barbecues or fire pits.”

Jeffco officials imposed their more-sweeping restrictions Tuesday covering all private and public land in unincorporated areas of the county, including all National Forest Service and other federal lands.

The county restrictions “strictly prohibit anything which produces an open flame or has the potential to create an uncontrolled fire; building, maintaining, attending, or using any fire to burn trash, debris, fence rows or vegetation, or any campfire or warming fire; use of charcoal or other open fires on any public or private lands.”

Liquid- and gas-fueled stoves are permitted.

The county fire ban also prohibits smoking except in a vehicle of inside a building “or while stopped in an area of at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all combustible material.’

The restrictions also require anyone operating a chain saw to use approved and properly installed spark arresting devices and have a chemical, pressurized fire extinguisher at hand along with a full-size, pointed shovel. Welders are required to in area cleared of all vegetation and other combustibles within a 10-foot radius. Use of explosives requiring burning fuses also is prohibited, as are all fireworks.

Exemptions to the ban are limited and holders of existing burn permits must seek an exemption and comply with further regulations.

Jeffco’s ban also is in effect until further notice.