The purpose of fire restrictions and closures is to reduce the risk of human-caused fires during unusually high fire danger and/or burning conditions, and for the protection of human life and property. Fire restrictions impose many limitations on the general public, and therefore should be implemented only after all other prevention measures have been taken. These measures may include, but are not limited to: increasing the number of prevention signs; public contacts; media campaigns; and other proactive outreach and public education efforts. Fire restrictions should be considered when high to extreme fire danger is predicted to persist. Other considerations are the level of human-caused fire occurrences being experienced, firefighting resources available, potential high-risk occassions (4^th of July, etc.), and large fire activity occurring on a unit. Restrictions should not be considered the equivalent of a prevention program.

When the conditions within an area approach threshold levels, appropriate fire agency personnel make recommendations to County and Agency Administrators, who in turn should consult with each other and initiate coordinated restrictions/closure procedures. These threshold levels should be determined by all wild land management agencies in the county before the onset of fire season and will become part of the Annual Operating Plan. The planning process for restrictions will include a public awareness campaign, keeping the media and public informed of the possibility of restrictions and/or closures.

Fire restrictions and closures should be planned for the long-term danger and not change at short-term fluctuations in risk, weather, and fire danger/behavior. The county and fire agencies will coordinate all public information. It is the responsibility of each Agency Administrator to notify their agency head of local interagency decisions made about fire restriction or area closure implementation and rescissions.

Fire restrictions will be implemented and rescinded by order of the Huerfano County Commissioners. Once a restriction is in effect, sheriff or fire agencies will not issue exemptions, exceptions or waivers to the ordered restrictions.

Rescinding a Restriction:

Removal of the restrictions will follow the same procedures outlined above. The majority of Fire Agency Administrators and fire personnel must agree that the restriction should be removed (trigger points for rescinding restrictions have been reached) in that fire restriction area. The county commissioners will then remove the restrictions and prepare a media notification plan to inform the public.

Stage 1:

The following acts are prohibited on public and private land, roads and trails described herein, until further notice:

1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire except a fire within a permanent constructed fire grate in a developed campground. EXCEPTION: If fire is a requirement to do business (e.g. a barbecue restaurant), then said business shall be requested to meet mitigation guidelines commensurate with the size and location of fire and the level of fire restriction enacted.
2. Smoking, except within 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.
3. Possessing, discharging or using any type of fireworks or other pyrotechnic device to include sparklers. This order does not differentiate between lawful use or careless/negligent use of fireworks, but prohibits all fireworks activity and use on public and private lands.
4. It is STRONGLY SUGGESTED that all planned controlled burns shall be reviewed by a qualified representative of the fire protection agency having jurisdiction, for the purposes of pre-planning. This will assist the fire department in responding in case the controlled burn escapes.

Stage 2:

The following acts are prohibited on public and private land, roads and trails described herein, until further notice:

1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire. EXCEPTION: (1) propane grills are allowed if the grill can be turned off with a knob or the flip of a switch; (2) If fire is a requirement to do business (e.g. a barbecue restaurant), then said business shall be requested to meet mitigation guidelines commensurate with the size and location of fire and the level of fire restriction enacted.
2. Trash/refuse burning of any kind, even in burn barrels with approved screening.
3. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
4. Operating a chainsaw or motorized equipment for any purpose.
5. Blasting, welding or other activities which generate flame or flammable material.

Stage 3:

Stage 3 is a closure. This stage is selected when there is very high risk to human life or property and the ability to manage those risks using Stage 1 or Stage 2 restrictions is no longer viable. EXCEPTION: If fire is a requirement to do business (e.g. a barbecue restaurant), then said business shall be requested to meet mitigation guidelines commensurate with the size and location of fire and the level of fire restriction enacted.

Introduced, read, approved and adopted on this 24^th day of May, 2006.

Board of County Commissioners of Huerfano County

Attest: