As State Readies For Record Heat, Boulder Enacts Fire Ban
POSTED: 11:52 am MDT July 19,
2005
UPDATED: 12:42 pm MDT July 19,
2005
Get ready for another round of hot, dry weather and possible record-breaking temperatures. This latest round of sweltering heat is causing another Front Range community to enact a fire ban.On Tuesday afternoon Boulder County officially became the latest county in Colorado to enact a fire ban. The sheriff said the fire danger is just too high to risk open fires. The ban does not affect barbecue grills on private property or backpacking stoves used by campers. It does mean that there will be no open campfires allowed, said Jim Burress, a spokesman with Boulder County.The Mesa County Sheriff's Department also announced fire restrictions effective midnight Wednesday. Fire danger in Mesa County is classified as extreme because conditions continue to be dry, windy and warm.
Last month Park County enacted stage 1 fire restrictions, which means that all open burning is banned. Campers can still have a campfire but only if it's within campsites and picnic areas with well-defined fire grates and fire rings. Also, anyone smoking cigarettes must do so inside an enclosed space such as a car. Smoking is not allowed in an open area.Last week Jefferson County, Douglas County and all federal park lands in southeast Colorado enacted the same level of restrictions.A series of hot dry days is in store for the rest of this week with Tuesday's high reaching the upper 90s and the high on Wednesday expected to climb to 100 degrees, said 24/7 Meteorologist Scott Mace."Highs in the western part of the state will top 100 once again. Mountain areas will reach the upper 70s and 80s. The hot stretch of weather will last at least through the end of the week," Mace said.The coolest day in the 7-day forecast would be next Monday, when temperatures will reach a high of only 88 degrees.
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