By Order of Sheriff Tony Spurlock Stage 2 fire restrictions are now in place. Ordinance No. O-012-004, restricting open fires, open burning and the use of fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Douglas County.
“Due to the extreme fire conditions our community has experienced over the last several days, coupled with my ongoing communications with fire science experts and emergency management personnel, I have made the decision to move into a more restrictive fire ban. Douglas County has had several significant fires within the last week. This decision, while not an easy one, is made in the interests of the safety of the citizens of Douglas County,” Sheriff Spurlock stated.
Not allowed:
• Open burning of any kind.
• Use of fireworks – including professional firework displays
• Use of fires in chimineas, other portable fireplaces or patio fire pits.
• Campfires at developed campgrounds or picnic areas.
Allowed:
• Fires within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves, grills, fire pits, or other gas or liquid-fueled appliances.
• Residential use of charcoal grill fires when such use is supervised by a responsible party at least 18 years of age.
• Fires contained within fireplaces and wood-burning stoves within buildings only
• Fire suppression or fire department training fires.
Violation of these fire restrictions is a Class-2 Petty Offense, punishable by up to a $1000.00 fine and a $10.00 surcharge.
For more information about fire restrictions, read the Douglas County Ordinance O-012-004: douglas.co.us/documents/o-012-004-restricting-open-fires-open-burning-and-fireworks-in-unincorporated-douglas-county.pdf/
For more information about how fire restriction decisions are made: dcsheriff.net/documents/douglas-county-fire-restriction-criteria-and-methodology.pdf/
