DENVER -- In light of a raging wildfire about 50 miles south of Denver, Gov. Bill Owens on Monday banned the use and sale of fireworks and banned open burning statewide.

"This has been caused by the conditions that we've seen in the last week. It's something that we've dealt with at the state level and wrestled with, but it's clear to me that in the current condition that we're seeing in Colorado, there's simply no excuse for the use of fireworks. No excuse for open burning in Colorado," Owens said.

This move goes one step further than the fireworks ban he issued just five days ago when he banned the use of fireworks in all state forests.

Under the ban, commercial fireworks shows can still take place but homeowners cannot light any small fireworks anywhere in the state.

HAYMAN FIRE INTERACTIVE VIDEO: Heavy Fire Near Signal Butte 6/18 VIDEO: Over Turkey Rock 6/17 VIDEO: Burned Homes In Douglas County DISCUSSION: How Can Wildfires Be Prevented? SURVEY: Forest Service Liable? SURVEY: Should State's Forests Be Closed? SLIDESHOW: Hayman Fire Explodes 6/18 SLIDESHOW: Deckers Area Fire Tour (Thursday) SLIDESHOW: Working The Fire SLIDESHOW: Dramatic Pictures SLIDESHOW: From Viewers MULTIMEDIA: Causes And Protections SIZE Subdivisions In Zone Perimeter Map At 137,000 Acres Early Fire Growth Early Satellite Image Large Satellite Enhanced Color Satellite With Landmarks EVACUATION Neighborhoods Affected Tips Pets, Large Animals INFO Get Federal Funds How You Can Help Open Fires Banned Penalties Fireworks Shows On? Forest Closure Wildfire Terminology Smell Smoke? Effect On Wildlife RESOURCES Hayman Fire Incident Page Douglas County Jefferson County Teller County National Incident Report Fire Bans

The open burning statewide includes campfires, warming fires, charcoal grill fires in parks, and fireworks.

The ban is expected to continue until weather conditions in the state change dramatically.

During the press conference, he also asked residents who were being asked to evacuate to do so immediately. Homeowners were asked not to try to defend themselves or their property.

"The Hayman Fire posed a very real threat to human lives, both to firefighters and to the public. We estimate that fire today is at 60,000 to 70,000 acres. Yesterday morning it was at 5,000 acres. By this evening, it may be 100,000 acres," Owens said. "There's nothing that could be done to stop this fire under current weather and fuel conditions."

Owens said Roxborough State Park was closed Monday morning because it is near the Hayman fire and announced that the state will be closing Mueller Park and Eleven Mile because of the continuing fire threat.

"Citizens need to exercise extreme caution this summer while in our forests and parks. Our brave men and women who are fighting these fires have enough to deal with when it comes to natural fires and do not need to add human-caused fires to the mix," Owen said.

The roads around those areas are open for now, but backcountry roads have been closed to allow park visitors to leave the area.

Owens also said that he has transferred $10 million from the state's TABOR reserve fund to the state's $2.6 million disaster fund, bringing the total amount to $12.6 million to pay for the cost of the firefighting. That cost is more than $10 million to date.

Fortunately, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has granted federal money to pay 75 percent of that cost.

FEMA's Director, Joe Allbaugh, will be flying in to Colorado to tour the fire scenes with Owens on Tuesday.