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Zero tolerance policy for fire restrictions in Teller County

Posted at 8:40 PM, Jul 13, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-23 16:52:03-04

Teller County deputies have been busy in recent weeks, cracking down not only on traditional crime, but enforcing the county’s Stage 3 Fire Restrictions in effect since the Chateau Fire.

So far, they’ve written 30 citations since the burn ban was enacted while also educating the community every day.

Most people are aware of the danger and the restrictions that state all open burning is prohibited, including campfires, grilling, even smoking outdoors. The restrictions also ban outdoor shooting, which has been the most common issue in those 30 citations.

Under these extremely dry conditions Teller County deputies say the burn ban is a zero tolerance policy.

"It is a lot, but with the lack of moisture we’ve been receiving this past winter alone and now summer, we’re pretty dry up here. And as we’ve seen with that High Chateau Fire, it doesn’t take much to get a fire started," Deputy Bethany Kerfoot told News 5’s Sam Kraemer during a ride-along on Friday.

There has been some confusion between county and forest service lands as only stage two restrictions are currently in place on forest service property.

The bans are similar, but forest officials do allow propane grilling outdoors as long as it has a shutoff mechanism..

Either way it’s best to constantly check the restrictions for where you are and if you are not sure, please use common sense.

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