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Morning Brief: Boulder County Enacts Level 2 Fire Restrictions

Sheriff Joe Pelle enacted Level 2 Fire Restrictions for western Boulder County on Monday, July 9.

This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.

Sheriff Joe Pelle enacted Level 2 Fire Restrictions for western Boulder County on Monday, July 9. According to a press release, "The fire restrictions are being implemented due to increasing fire danger, lack of moisture and the forecast for hot temperatures."

The fire restriction is also in place because of increased recreational activity in western Boulder County that comes during the summer months and can increase the likelihood of a fire outbreak.

"In addition, local and regional fire suppression resources have also been committed to large fires in Colorado and across the nation," states the press release.

The areas included in the the fire restrictions are the mountain areas of Boulder County, which includes any and all unincorporated areas of the county:

  • West of CO Highway 93 (CO-93), from its intersection with the southern boundary of Boulder County until, and including, its intersection with CO Highway 119 (CO-119);
  • West of Broadway Avenue in the City of Boulder, from its intersection with CO-119 until, and including, its intersection with US Highway 36 (US-36);
  • West of US-36, from its intersection with Broadway Avenue until its intersection with the northern boundary of Boulder County;
  • West of the western boundary of the Rabbit Mountain Open Space until, and including, US-36; and;
  • All of the Rabbit Mountain Open Space property.

Here is a map of the areas of Boulder County affected by the fire ban:

Courtesy of Boulder County Sheriff's Office

According to the press release issued by the Boulder County Sherrif's Office the fire ban PROHIBITS:

  • Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire on private and public lands. This includes charcoal grills and barbecues, coal and wood burning stoves and sheepherder’s stoves and includes use in developed camping and picnic grounds.
  • Fireworks sales, use, and possession, including permissible fireworks.
  • Shooting or discharge of firearms for recreational purposes.
  • Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
  • Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and in effective working order, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher kept with the operator and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use.
  • Using an explosive. This includes but is not limited to fuses or blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, and tracers or incendiary ammunition.
  • Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame outdoors.
  • Possessing or using a motor vehicle off established roads, motorized trails or established parking areas, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the vehicle.

The fire ban ALLOWS:

  • Smoking in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
  • Devices using pressurized liquid or gas (stoves, grills or lanterns) that include shut-off valves are permitted when used in an area at least three feet or more from flammable material such as grasses or pine needles.
  • Shooting or discharge of firearms for hunting, with a valid and current hunting license on public lands.
  • Operating a chainsaw with a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and in effective working order, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher kept with the operator and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use.

For current fire, shooting and developed recreation site restrictions and seasonal closures for USFS properties, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/home/?cid=FSEPRD583820.

"Anyone found in violation of the fire ban may be convicted of a class two petty offense, and may be subject to up to a $1,000 fine, in addition to any possible civil penalties. Higher fines may be imposed for subsequent offenses," states the press release.

Fire restrictions will remain in effect until Sheriff Pelle determines that the hazardous conditions have subsided.

Open fires within incorporated cities and towns are not affected by the fire restrictions, however, residents and visitors are advised to use caution and to comply with applicable ordinances and regulations within their respective cities and towns.

"Colorado state statutes authorize counties to impose fire restrictions "to a degree and in a manner that the Board of County Commissioners deems necessary to reduce the danger of wildfires within those portions of the unincorporated areas of the county where the danger of forest or grass fires is found to be high based on competent evidence," is stated in the press release.

Recruitment Now Underway for Boulder County Advisory Boards and Commissions

Boards and Commissions meeting (Photo from https://www.bouldercounty.org/government/boards-and-commissions/)

Boulder County opened up volunteer opportunities to the public to "voice their opinions and help guide decisions on matters ranging from health issues to community and work programs," according to a press release.

There are 11 open positions on advisory boards and commissions. Those positions include:

  • Board of Health
  • Board of Review
  • Community Actions Programs Administering Board
  • Cultural Council
  • Mosquito Control Advisory Board
  • Planning Commission
  • Workforce Development Board

Click here to view vacancies and apply online for positions.

To view descriptions and requirements for the various boards and commissions or to fill out an application, visit the Advisory Boards and Commissions page of the Boulder County website.

The submission deadline is Monday, August 13, 2018.

For more information, call the Boulder County Commissioners’ Office at 303-441-3501.

Ken Buck Announces 4th District Service Academy Appointees

Photo from @repkenbuck Facebook Page.

On Monday, July 9, Congressperson Ken Buck (CO-04) announced the names of ten students, from Colorado's 4th Congressional District, who received U.S. service academy appointments.

"Each of these candidates has been appointed for their superior academic and athletic achievements as well as their commitment to public service in their communities," states the press release from the office of Congressperson Buck.

Four students will attend the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, two the Merchant Marine Academy, one the Navel Academy and the remaining three will attend West Point.

According to the press release, the requirements to receive an academy appointment are as follows: "The service academies offer students dedicated to public service an undergraduate education that integrates academic studies with athletic competition and preparation for military leadership. To be admitted to a service academy, students must be nominated by their Representative, their Senator, or the Vice President of the United States. Upon receiving a nomination, applicants must pass the admissions processes of the academies themselves. Once admitted, these students will receive a top-tier education for free with the commitment that they will serve in the armed forces for five years after graduation."

“I’m so proud of the young men and women from Colorado who have committed their lives to protecting this country and our ideals,” Congressman Ken Buck stated. “I couldn’t be more confident in our nation’s future because these men and women will be in charge.”

Below is a list of students whom were nominated by Congressperson Buck from the 4th Congressional District for an appointment to a service academy in the in the 2018-2019 academic year:

Naval Academy: 

Cameron Eldridge - Roosevelt High School

West Point: 

Caspar Placke - Regis Jesuit High School

Connor Quinlan - Chaparral High School

Cameron Thompson - Heritage High School

Air Force Academy: 

Daniel Deschane - Rock Canyon High School

Rachel Sonczalla - Douglas County High School

Brandon Van Norman - Strasburg High School

Katherine Walden - Castle View High School

Merchant Marine Academy:

Cole Blake - Regis Jesuit High School

Connor Campbell - Air Academy High School