EL PASO COUNTY — Burn restrictions continue in southern Colorado. “There's no open burning of any kind. It's just the fire danger right now, we're at very high, Lieutenant Trevor Leland with Colorado Springs Fire Department said, “That's just ripe for having a significant fire."
A majority of Colorado counties have some kind of fire restrictions in place. Pueblo and Fremont Counties are under Stage 1 restrictions. Stage 2 restrictions are the rule in Teller and El Paso Counties. U.S. Forest Service land in southern Colorado is under Stage 2 restrictions.
There is no smoking outside. Any power equipment like chainsaws that can cause sparks are not permitted. Stage 2 areas only allow grilling with propane type grill that can be turned off with a valve. Burning yard waste and fallen leaves is always prohibited. "Realize that when you come into the area, especially if you're from out of town. We don't allow open burning. So, what you might be able to do on the east coast or Midwest somewhere--rake up your leaves and burn them in your yard, that's not allowed here," Leland said.
It is all to keep a spark or ember from becoming a raging fire.
