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ANNOUNCEMENTS
AUGUST 26, 2025 County-wide Stage 1 Fire Ban Lifted Park County, CO - As of 8 AM on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 the county-wide fire ban has been lifted by Park County Sheriff, Tom McGraw. There are no local fire bans in place. Please call your local district fire department for more information or to report burning. You may also call the county Fire Restriction Hotline at: 719-836-4160 for daily updates and status check of the local fire districts. Please continue to exercise caution as conditions can change quickly. AUGUST 7, 2025 CAUTION: Red Flag Warning in Effect for Park County The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from noon to 8 PM MDT Thursday and from 10 AM to 8 PM MDT Friday. As of August 6, all of Park County is in a Stage 1 Fire Ban until further notice. Extreme fire conditions exist throughout the county. Please exercise caution. AUGUST 6, 2025 Stage 1 Fire Ban in Effect for Park County Starting August 6, 2025 Park County, CO - Due to extreme fire conditions, Park County Sheriff, Tom McGraw has announced a Stage 1 Fire Ban for all of Park County, effective August 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM until further notice. Please abide by the County Ordinance 21-04. Citations for violations will start at $500 and increase to $1000. Please visit our Wildfire Readiness and Information page for more information. AUGUST 5, 2025 Red Flag Warning and Stage 1 Fire Ban in Effect for Park County Please use extreme caution as the threat of dangerous wildland and grass fires is high. Review the prohibited activities in County Ordinance 21-04. COUNTY-WIDE STAGE 1 BURN BAN IN EFFECT The following acts are PROHIBITED on ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY until further notice: 1. Building, maintaining, attending or using open burning or an open fire as defined in Section 5.f. of County Ordinance 21-04, except on Forest Service land in paid hosted camping areas. 2. Target shooting and recreational shooting is prohibited, including the Forestry areas. The only exception to this will be the Como shooting range. POSTED RANGE RULES MUST BE FOLLOWED. 3. Blasting, or other activities, which generate flame or flammable material. 4. Outdoor hot work without a pressurized water system or at least a 7lb. ABC or 2 ½ gallon pressurized or equivalent fire extinguisher, and large size pointed shovel readily available for quick use. 5. Fireworks and model rocketry. 6. 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. 7. Operating a chain saw without a pressurized water system or at least a 7lb ABC or 2 ½ gallon pressurized or equivalent fire extinguisher, and large size pointed shovel readily available for quick use. Exceptions: 1. Persons with a written exemption from their District Fire Chief that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act. 2. Persons using a fire solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels. 3. Any Federal, State or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty. 4. Approved fully contained outdoor wood burning furnace/boiler. 5. For commercial operations authorized under contract or permit, internal and external combustion engines may be operated as approved by the Forest Service within designated areas. 6. Licensed hunters that are actively pursuing game. 7. Target and recreational shooting with LEAD ONLY is permitted on private property when the owner or lessee of such private property, or the owner or lessee’s employee, is present and supervising. Please abide by the County Ordinance 21-04. Citations for violations will start at $500 and increase to $1000. Thank you for your cooperation. Sheriff Tom McGraw Park County Sheriff’s Office PO Box 604 Fairplay, CO 80440 719-836-2494 JULY 10, 2025 Red Flag Warning & Stage 1 Burn Ban In Effect For Park County from 11am to 9pm July 10 Warning to residents and visitors: due to low relative humidity, high winds and warm temperatures, the National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect until 9 PM MDT this evening. A Red Flag Warning has also been issued from 9 AM to 9 PM MDT Saturday. During this time Park County will be in a Stage 1 Fire Ban - please exercise extreme caution and abide by the County Ordinance 21-04. Citations for violations will start at $500 and increase to $1000. For more information from the National Weather Service please visit, https://inws.ncep.noaa.gov/a/a.php?i=116212094. JULY 3, 2025 Hartsel Fire, Northwest Fire, Jefferson County Stage 1 Fire Ban Local fire district bans are in place, please check local district websites and social media for more information and updates. In order to prevent the spread of dangerous wildland fires, the following acts are PROHIBITED on ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY until further notice: Building, maintaining, attending or using open burning or an open fire as defined in Section 5.f. of County Ordinance 21-04. Target and recreational shooting, except on private property when the owner or lessee of such private property, or the owner or lessee’s employee, is present and supervising. Blasting, or other activities, which generate flame or flammable material. Outdoor hot work without a pressurized water system or at least a 7lb. ABC or 2 ½ gallon pressurized or equivalent fire extinguisher, and large size pointed shovel readily available for quick use. Fireworks and model rocketry 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. Operating a chain saw without a pressurized water system or at least a 7lb ABC or 2 ½ gallon pressurized or equivalent fire extinguisher, and large size pointed shovel readily available for quick use. Exceptions: Persons with a written exemption from their District Fire Chief that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act. Persons using a fire solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels. Any Federal, State or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty. Approved fully contained outdoor wood burning furnace/boiler. For commercial operations authorized under contract or permit, internal and external combustion engines may be operated as approved by the Forest Service within designated areas. Licensed hunters that are actively pursuing game. Please review County Ordinance 21-04 for more information. And remember, citations for violations start at $500 and increase to $1000. We appreciate your cooperation. JUNE 20, 2025 Red Flag Warning and Stage 1 Fire Ban in Effect for Park County Warning to residents and visitors: due to low relative humidity, high winds and warm temperatures, the National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect until 9 PM MDT this evening. A Red Flag Warning has also been issued from 9 AM to 9 PM MDT Saturday. During this time Park County will be in a Stage 1 Fire Ban - please exercise extreme caution and abide by the County Ordinance 21-04. Citations for violations will start at $500 and increase to $1000. For more information from the National Weather Service please visit, https://inws.ncep.noaa.gov/a/a.php?i=116212094. APRIL 27, 2025 Red Flag Warning and Stage 1 Fire Ban for Park County A Red Flag Warning and Stage 1 Fire Ban is in effect from 11 AM - 8 PM today, April 27, 2025. Please use extreme caution as the threat of dangerous wildland and grass fires is high. Review the prohibited activities in County Ordinance 21-04. APRIL 22, 2025 Stage 1 Fire Ban Lifted for Park County Park County, CO - Due to the amount of snowfall recently and the impending weather, Sheriff Tom McGraw has lifted the fire ban for Park County until further notice as of 8 AM on Tuesday, April 22. APRIL 17, 2025 Red Flag Warning Issued for Park County Park County, CO - The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag Warning for Park County for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 10 AM to 7 PM MDT Thursday, April 17. The county-wide Stage 1 Fire Ban continues to be in effect until further notice. Please use extreme caution as the threat of dangerous wildland and grass fires is high. Review the prohibited activities in County Ordinance 21-04. Citations for violations will start at $500 and increase to $1000. APRIL 12, 2025 Red Flag Warning Issued for Park County Park County, CO - The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag Warning for Park County due to wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from noon to 8 PM MDT Saturday, April 12. Winds will be Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Relative humidity may be as low as 7 percent and conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Per Sheriff McGraw, the county-wide Stage 1 Fire Ban continues to be in effect until further notice. Please use extreme caution as the threat of dangerous wildland and grass fires is high. Review the prohibited activities in County Ordinance 21-04 included below. The following acts are PROHIBITED on ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY until further notice:
MARCH 31, 2025 CAUTION: Stage 1 Fire Ban for Park County A Stage 1 Fire Ban is in effect until further notice. Please use extreme caution as the threat of dangerous wildland and grass fires is high. Review the prohibited activities in County Ordinance 21-04. COUNTY-WIDE STAGE 1 BURN BAN IN EFFECT The following acts are PROHIBITED on ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY until further notice: 1. Building, maintaining, attending or using open burning or an open fire as defined in Section 5.f. of County Ordinance 21-04, except on Forest Service land in paid hosted camping areas. 2. Target shooting and recreational shooting is prohibited, including the Forestry areas. The only exception to this will be the Como shooting range. POSTED RANGE RULES MUST BE FOLLOWED. 3. Blasting, or other activities, which generate flame or flammable material. 4. Outdoor hot work without a pressurized water system or at least a 7lb. ABC or 2 ½ gallon pressurized or equivalent fire extinguisher, and large size pointed shovel readily available for quick use. 5. Fireworks and model rocketry. 6. 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. 7. Operating a chain saw without a pressurized water system or at least a 7lb ABC or 2 ½ gallon pressurized or equivalent fire extinguisher, and large size pointed shovel readily available for quick use. Exceptions: 1. Persons with a written exemption from their District Fire Chief that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act. 2. Persons using a fire solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels. 3. Any Federal, State or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty. 4. Approved fully contained outdoor wood burning furnace/boiler. 5. For commercial operations authorized under contract or permit, internal and external combustion engines may be operated as approved by the Forest Service within designated areas. 6. Licensed hunters that are actively pursuing game. 7. Target and recreational shooting with LEAD ONLY is permitted on private property when the owner or lessee of such private property, or the owner or lessee’s employee, is present and supervising. Please abide by the County Ordinance 21-04. Citations for violations will start at $500 and increase to $1000. Thank you for your cooperation. Sheriff Tom McGraw Park County Sheriff’s Office PO Box 604 Fairplay, CO 80440 719-836-2494 MARCH 27, 2025 Stage 1 Fire Ban In Effect For Park County 3-28-25 Effective 8:00am March 28, 2025 COUNTY-WIDE STAGE 1 BURN BAN IN EFFECT The following acts are PROHIBITED on ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY until further notice: 1. Building, maintaining, attending or using open burning or an open fire as defined in Section 5.f. of County Ordinance 21-04, except on Forest Service land in paid hosted camping areas. 2. Target shooting and recreational shooting is prohibited, including the Forestry areas. The only exception to this will be the Como shooting range. POSTED RANGE RULES MUST BE FOLLOWED. 3. Blasting, or other activities, which generate flame or flammable material. 4. Outdoor hot work without a pressurized water system or at least a 7lb. ABC or 2 ½ gallon pressurized or equivalent fire extinguisher, and large size pointed shovel readily available for quick use. 5. Fireworks and model rocketry. 6. 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. 7. Operating a chain saw without a pressurized water system or at least a 7lb ABC or 2 ½ gallon pressurized or equivalent fire extinguisher, and large size pointed shovel readily available for quick use. Exceptions: 1. Persons with a written exemption from their District Fire Chief that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act. 2. Persons using a fire solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels. 3. Any Federal, State or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty. 4. Approved fully contained outdoor wood burning furnace/boiler. 5. For commercial operations authorized under contract or permit, internal and external combustion engines may be operated as approved by the Forest Service within designated areas. 6. Licensed hunters that are actively pursuing game. 7. Target and recreational shooting with LEAD ONLY is permitted on private property when the owner or lessee of such private property, or the owner or lessee’s employee, is present and supervising. Please abide by the County Ordinance 21-04. Citations for violations will start at $500 and increase to $1000. Thank you for your cooperation. Sheriff Tom McGraw Park County Sheriff’s Office PO Box 604 Fairplay, CO 80440 719-836-2494 MARCH 20, 2025 CAUTION: Red Flag Warning and Stage 1 Fire Ban for Park County March 20 A Red Flag Warning and Stage 1 Fire Ban is in effect from noon - 7 PM today, March 20, 2025. Please use extreme caution as the threat of dangerous wildland and grass fires is high. Review the prohibited activities in County Ordinance 21-04. Specifics can be found at https://www.weather.gov/bou/Colorado_FireWx MARCH 18, 2025 RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING 10 AM THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING 4 PM FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE DENVER METRO, PORTIONS OF THE NORTHEAST PLAINS OF COLORADO, AND THE SOUTHERN FOOTHILLS...FIRE WEATHER ZONES 216...239, 240, 241, 243, 244, 245 and 249. RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING 10 AM THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING 7 PM FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE EAST-CENTRAL PLAINS OF COLORADO...FIRE WEATHER ZONES 246 AND 247... COZ216-180900- /O.EXP.KBOU.FW.W.0005.000000T0000Z-250318T0100Z/ /O.NEW.KBOU.FW.W.0006.250318T1600Z-250318T2200Z/ Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet- 700 PM MDT Mon Mar 17 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM MDT TUESDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE SOUTHERN FOOTHILLS... ...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 7 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE SOUTHERN FOOTHILLS... The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 10 AM to 4 PM MDT Tuesday. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 216. * TIMING...From 10 AM to 4 PM MDT Tuesday. * WINDS...Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 9 percent. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. MARCH 17, 2025 RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE NORTHEAST AND SOUTHEAST PLAINS... ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING 11 AM THROUGH MONDAY EVENING 7 PM FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE URBAN CORRIDOR, SOUTHERN FOOTHILLS & SOUTH PARK, AND PORTIONS OF THE PLAINS... COZ214-216-170400- /O.UPG.KBOU.FW.A.0003.250317T1700Z-250318T0100Z/ /O.NEW.KBOU.FW.W.0005.250317T1700Z-250318T0100Z/ Central and Southeast Park County- Jefferson and West Douglas Counties Above 6000 Feet/Gilpin/Clear Creek/Northeast Park Counties Below 9000 Feet- 154 PM MDT Sun Mar 16 2025 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 7 PM MDT MONDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR SOUTH PARK AND THE SOUTHERN FRONT RANGE FOOTHILLS... The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 11 AM to 7 PM MDT Monday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 214 and 216. * TIMING...From 11 AM to 7 PM MDT Monday. * WINDS...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 11 percent. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. FEBRUARY 14, 2025 Mountain Pine Beetle Pheromones We were recently notified that the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) is doing a bulk purchase of pheromones and is passing on the savings. But you must place your order by March 7. I have used verbenone for the last 2 years and based on what I paid historically, this is about a 30-40% discount. Additionally, there is more flexibility in order quantities (ordering direct from the manufacturer requires ordering in multiples of 10). Please note that verbenone is only effective for mountain pine beetles (MPB). MPB only attacks pine trees, e.g. lodgepole, ponderosa, scotch, and limber pines. As you know, we are in the midst of a serious MPB epidemic in our area and to include large clusters of dead and dying trees in areas of Woodside Park. MCH protects against Douglas Fir and Spruce Beetles. To my knowledge we do not currently have a spruce/fir beetle epidemic in our area. They are present at endemic, low levels, in our area. The areas experiencing Douglas fir beetle epidemics are located in the central and southern parts of the state. Spruce beetle epidemics are affecting areas with large stands of Engelmann spruce at higher elevation. Pheromones have proven most effective during mild to moderate beetle infestations. Pheromones are less effective during periods of heavy infestation. For heavy infestation, professional spraying with insecticide is more effective in PREVENTING infestation and protecting uninfested trees. Remember that once infested, there is no known treatment to save a tree. In my case, I do not have (MPB) on my property, there is mild activity in my immediate surrounding area and I am fortunate that my neighbors who have had a few infested trees took prompt action to minimize spread. I will be using verbenone again this year since activity in my immediate area is mild to moderate and I prefer to avoid using insecticides due to my proximity to Jones Creek and a pond. For more info on the products being offered, I refer you to the manufacturers website: Verbenone: https://semiochemical.com/verbenone/ MCH Product info: https://semiochemical.com/mch/ I have also attached FAQ fliers from the CSFS. In short, the pheromone provides a chemical signal that tricks flying beetles into thinking a tree is already infested. The flying beetles skip that tree and go looking for another "uninfested" tree. Again, this is strictly a preventive measure aimed at protecting healthy trees that have not yet been infested. If you have trees showing signs of infestation, now is the best time to remove and treat those trees before the larvae mature and the new beetles fly and infest adjacent trees. If you have questions about treatment for infested trees, please reach out to our FD ambassador, Otto Boneta, at [email protected] for more information. If you are interested in using pheromones this year, please see the email I have pasted below from the CSFS. Please note that orders need to be placed with the CSFS by March 7 to take advantage of this pricing. After that, you can still order directly from the manufacturer at https://semiochemical.com if you are interested. The pheromones typically need to be placed a few weeks before the anticipated migration period which usually starts in mid-June depending on climate conditions and elevation. The CSFS will provide a forecast. Dear Landowner, The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) is preparing to order Pheromone Packets for 2025. You are receiving this email because you have expressed interest in ordering packets (either MCH or Verbenone) for 2025. CSFS purchases packets in bulk at a reduced cost, the 2025 pricing for each product is listed below: MCH Double Bubble: $3.20/each Verbenone Bubble (0.98gram): $2.14/each Regular Pouch (5.88grams): $7.30/each Extended Life Pouch (7.84grams): $8.49/each A handling fee of $0.06/packet will be applied to each order to cover any handling and packing materials. An estimated shipping fee of ~ $0.02/packet will also be included to cover the cost of shipping from the manufacturer to our Fort Collins office. *Payment Details* For landowners that will be hanging the packets themselves you will be required to pay for your pheromone packets BEFORE the order is shipped to you. After submitting your order, an invoice for the product cost will be sent via email, including a link to submit payment online. A SECOND INVOICE to cover the cost of shipping out from our office in Fort Collins to your address will be sent at the time of shipping. For landowners that need CSFS staff to hang the packets, one invoice including both the product cost & labor will be sent out AFTER the packets are deployed. To submit an order please email [email protected] with the following information:
To ensure product availability before beetles are flying, your order information must be sent to [email protected] no later than March 7, 2025. Don't hesitate to contact me if you are new to the program or have any other questions. The attached Frequently Asked Questions documents include more detailed information on semiochemicals, application rates, efficacy, etc. Fortunately, as a landowner, you can proactively promote your forest's resilience in the presence of active bark beetle populations. Anti-aggregate pheromone packets have successfully prevented living trees from bark beetle infestation. Sincerely, Dr. Dan West Colorado State Forest Entomologist FEBRUARY 4, 2025 Location: Deer Creek and Harris Park Patrol conducted by: Mod 11 Status: The Deer Creek piles have been patrolled every day since ignitions on 1/20. The past couple of days, crews have observed an increase in smoldering and smoke production due to strong winds and warm temperatures. All fire activity is secure and there is currently no threat to private property. However, residents can expect an increased presence of firefighters and equipment on scene today and tomorrow to begin the process of extinguishing the remaining heat and eliminating any future potential. Crews will continue to conduct patrols until the piles are declared out. Public and firefighter safety is always the number one priority during prescribed burning operations. Seeing flames and smoke, even after dark, is part of normal operations. Residual burning is allowed to happen only under the safest conditions. If you see alarming smoke or flames, please contact Pueblo Interagency Dispatch Center at (719) 553-1600. JANUARY 23, 2025 The US Forest Service, Pike National Forest, South Platte Ranger District is planning to ignite slash piles in the Harris Park Slash Piles project on 01/23/2025, depending on conditions. Please see attached map for exact location of unit. Test fire should start around 1045 hrs. Smoke maybe visible throughout the day in the area. Location Map JANUARY 21, 2025 The US Forest Service, Pike National Forest, South Platte Ranger District is planning to ignite machine piles in the Deer Creek Machine Piles Project on 01/22/2025, depending on conditions. Please see attached map for exact location of unit. Test fire should start around 1100 hrs. Smoke may be visible throughout the day in the area. All piles from previous burn operations were patrolled on 1/21/25 - and did not pose any holding concerns. Firefighters will maintain periodic presence at Deer Creek until the piles are called out. Contact us for questions regarding Deer Creek Piles - (303) 838-8675. Location Map JANUARY 21, 2025 The US Forest Service, Pike National Forest, South Platte Ranger District is planning to ignite hand piles in the Hatch Piles Project on 01/21/2025, depending on conditions. Please see attached map for exact location of unit. Test fire should start around 1100 hrs. Smoke maybe visible throughout the day in the area. Additionally, piles already burned in Deer Creek will continue to be patrolled. Please contact us with any questions or comments (303) 275-5650. If you are interested, you can look at our web experience for more details. Just click here. Location Map JANUARY 17, 2025 The US Forest Service, Pike National Forest, South Platte Ranger District is planning to ignite slash piles in the Hatch Slash Piles Project and Deer Creek Machine Piles Project on 01/17/2025, depending on conditions. Test fire should start around 1000 hrs. Smoke maybe visible throughout the day in both areas. Contact Burn Boss Timothy Tate for questions regarding Hatch Slash Piles - (303) 838-5633. Contact Burn Boss David Waters for questions regarding Deer Creek Piles - (303) 838-8675. Location Map |
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