News Release

Print this pageFire Restrictions in Vail/Eagle County
6/8/2012

The Town of Vail has joined Eagle County in issuing Stage 1 Fire Restrictions effective until further notice.

Activities Allowed:

  • Open fires in charcoal or gas fire grills commonly used for home preparation of meals.
  • Open fires in exterior, in-ground decorative natural-gas appliances or fire-pits with listed pilot safety and flame safeguard devices in working order.
  • Recreational fires in developed areas fully contained in a commercially purchased portable outdoor fireplace (i.e. a metal, in-ground or above ground containment structure) with approved spark arrester, water supply nearby, and located an appropriate distance from combustible material (15 feet).
  • A fire within a furnace, stove, boiler, or other place within a house or structure.
  • Smoking within an enclosed vehicle or building or in a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable vegetation.

Activities Prohibited:

  • Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or “open fire” of any type on private lands outside of a developed campground or recreational area with fire grates (unless authorized with written approval by Eagle County and appropriate fire protection district).
  • Wood burning stoves.
  • Camp stoves on private lands. (Note: commercially purchased/approved camping stoves and/or backpacking stoves may be allowed on federal lands, unless otherwise prohibited.) For information on restrictions for federal lands and other counties throughout Colorado visit http://www.coemergency.com/p/fire-ban-info.html.
  • Improperly discarded smoking materials, including but not limited to cigarette butts and matches.
  • Using explosive material i.e. firecrackers, fireworks, tracer rounds, blasting caps or any incendiary device which may result in the ignition of flammable material.
  • Operating or using a chainsaw or any internal combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working condition.
  • Possessing, discharging, or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device, to include sparklers.     
  • Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with an open flame except within an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable material within 10 feet of equipment.

Note: If you have questions regarding what is allowed or not allowed, please contact Fire Chief Mark Miller at 477-3474 or Fire Marshal Mike Vaughan at 479-2252.
              
Anyone found in violation of the fire restrictions may be convicted of a class 2 petty offense and may be subject to a $500 fine. Higher fines may be imposed for subsequent offenses.

Due to the increased risk for wildland fires, Chief Miller is encouraging residents to take personal responsibility and prepare before a wildland fire occurs. Homes in or near forested areas are classified as Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas, and are at risk in any wildfire event. Homes in the WUI may have poor access, dense vegetation, steep slopes, and poor or no water supply for fire suppression. To prevent a tragedy, please be aware of wildfire hazards and what to do when a wildfire occurs in your area.

Check with Vail Fire and Emergency Services to determine the wildfire hazard in your area, and what can be done to reduce the hazard. Schedule a Firewise inspection by calling Wildland Coordinator Tom Talbot at 477-3509 to assist in creating a  “defensible space” around your home that will increase the chances that your home may survive a wildfire. Items to make your home more defensible may include:

  • Trimming branches
  • Thinning tree and brush cover
  • Removing dead limbs and other litter
  • Maintaining an irrigated greenbelt
  • Mowing dry grasses and weeds
  • Cleaning your roof and gutters
  • Pruning branches to 10 ft. above the ground

Emergency & Evaucation Information
Be informed of the latest emergency notifications by signing up for Eagle County Alerts at www.ecalert.org. Also, review the Town of Vail Emergency Evacuation Plan. If you are warned to evacuate your home remember to:

  • Follow the instructions and advice of emergency responders. If you are told to evacuate, do so promptly.
  • If  you are instructed to go to a certain location, go there - don’t go anywhere else. If certain travel routes are specified or recommended, use those routes rather than trying to find shortcuts of your own.
  • Vail's evacuation plan directs personal vehicles to the frontage roads, then to Interstate 70, while those using public transportation are asked to head to the nearest bus stop for safe transport to a check-in location.
  • If you are advised to shut off your water, gas, or electric services before leaving home, do so. Also, find out where emergency shelters are located, in case you need to use them.
  • Bring your pets with you on a leash or crated upon evacuation as the town’s plans will accommodate small animals.

Firewise Tips & Information
Resources for the media http://www.firewise.org/For-Media/Resources-for-the-Media.aspx
Operation Water http://interactive.firewise.org/operationWater/index.htm

  • Reducing ignition hazards improves the chances that a structure will survive a wildfire. Learn more at http://www.firewise.org/
  • Prune large trees so that the lowest branches are at least 6 to 10 feet high to prevent a fire on the ground from spreading to the treetops. Learn more at http://www.firewise.org
  • With Firewise landscaping, you can create survivable space around your home that reduces your wildfire threat. Learn more at http://www.firewise.org/
  • To improve the chance that a structure will survive a wildfire keep the roof, gutters, and eaves clear of leaves and other debris.  Learn more at http://www.firewise.org/