DENVER — Gov. Jared Polis issued an executive order Wednesday that bans open fires statewide starting at 9 a.m. Thursday.
The purpose of the order is to help limit fire activity as four wildfires rage in the state, including the Pine Gulch Firethat is now the second-largest fire in Colorado history.
The restrictions outlined in the order include campfires, charcoal grill fires, explosives, and smoking unless you are in an enclosed space or at least 6 feet away from flammable items.
Home barbecues, grills, public grills, and camp stoves are allowed for use. Polis said during a press conference Tuesday that all Colorado counties already had some fire restrictions in place, except Ouray, Delta, and Chaffee counties.
READ THE FULL EXECUTIVE ORDER HERE
Polis addressed the multiple wildfires burning across the state during the press conference Tuesday.
He said the Grizzly Creek Fire, which has kept I-70 closed in Glenwood Canyon for the last week, is the top national priority for fire fighting. The fire remains active on both sides of Glenwood Canyon and as of Thursday morning has reached about 29,000 acres in size.
Polis added that it is believed that three of the four major wildfires burning in Colorado may have been caused by human activity.
You can find specific fire information for each Colorado county here: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dfpc/fire-restriction-information
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