Burn bans lifted, city and fire district plan controlled burns

LAKEWOOD – Fire restrictions on campfires and charcoal barbecues at Bear Creek Lake Park and other park lands in the city have been lifted and the city and West Metro Fire District hope to conduct controlled burns at Bear Creek Park next week, the city announced Wednesday.

The end of the city’s restrictions follows Jefferson County’s Oct. 14 replacement of its full fire ban with a set of temporary restrictions that will be in place until further notice. The latest restrictions, which apply to all unincorporated areas of the county except federal lands, prohibit “building, maintaining, attending or using any fire or campfire” unless it is contained within a permanent fire grate in a developed park, campground, or picnic area. The restrictions also ban smoking outside enclosed vehicles or buildings, developed recreation sites, or in a barren area at least 6 feet in diameter that is that has been cleared of all combustible material. Violations could result in fines up to $600.

“These restrictions are intended to reduce the likelihood of human caused wildfires,” according to a spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Office.

For other details on the county’s latest fire restrictions, see their webpage at www.jeffco.us .

Lakewood parks have returned to normal operating regulations and campfires again are allowed at the Bear Creek Lake Park campground. Even under the September restrictions, charcoal barbecues were permitted in the existing grates at picnic shelters in Lakewood ’s neighborhood and other urban parks.

Lakewood and West Metro hope to conduct controlled burns at Bear Creek Lake Park during the week of Oct. 25, but weather conditions could cancel the plans. The controlled burns are designed to eliminate excessive fuels and noxious weeds and restore the short-grass prairie ecosystem, according to a city spokeswoman. The burns also would provide training opportunities for firefighters.