STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-April 12, 2024-With some ski seasons lengthened due to a snowy winter across the state, the Steamboat Springs Area Fire Protection District’s Open Burn Season will not see that same benefit and will end on April 15, 2024.
“We’ve seen some pretty warm days this past week and the spring melt off is gaining intensity by the day,” said Fire Marshal Doug Shaffer with the Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue. “The last few years Colorado has experienced active fire seasons, so it’s imperative that all criteria be met before igniting your open burn and for some locations that window will be closing rapidly or may have already ended.”
At this time, burning should only be conducted that is essential to either: agricultural burns such as ditch burning in conjunction with irrigation, weed control and production of crops; or Open Burns of currently permitted slash piles to assist in wildland fire mitigations plans.
The following parameters must be met prior to any open burn before April 15:
- Contact Routt County Environmental Health at 970.870.5588 prior to open burn for a permit.
- Burn piles must be less than 10’x10’x10’ and be devoid of any trash or materials more suited for the landfill.
- There must be 6 inches or more of snow on the ground at and around the burn site.
- Burning must be started prior to 11am, always monitored and be out by sunset.
- Call Routt County Communications prior to starting the burn at 970.879.1110
Always observe fire safety guidelines and check the National Weather service Fire Weather pages for local fire weather forecasts: http://www.weather.gov/bou/fire. For additional questions, contact Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue at 970.879.7170.
“Use caution during any open burn and consider alternatives before burning for materials through recycling, reusing or disposal at a landfill,” continued Shaffer. “Since we’re talking burning, I would like to remind everyone that residential fire pits also require a permit.”
All residential recreational fire pits that burn wood within the district require inspection and a permit from SSFR. Additional information on fire pits can be found here.
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Contact
Doug Shaffer, Fire Marshal, 970.879.7170 or email
Chuck Cerasoli, Fire Chief, 970.879.7170 or email
Michael Lane, Communications Manager, 970.871.8220 or email