In coordination with Acting City Manager Carly Lorentz, Golden Fire Chief Jerry Stricker has issued a temporary Stage 1 fire ban for the city of Golden, effective noon on April 22.
These restrictions are for the corporate limits of the City of Golden and supersede any Stage 1 fire restrictions or Stage 2 fire bans for Jefferson County.
Under Stage 1 restrictions, the following activities are prohibited:
- The building, maintaining, attending, or using any fire or campfire, not within a permanently constructed fire grate in a developed park, campground, private residence, or picnic area.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area of at least six feet diameter that is barren or cleared of all combustible material. - Open fire and open burning, including “bonfires” that require a permit from the Golden Fire Department.
NOTE: Burn permits issued and not executed prior to the effective date of these temporary Stage 1 fire restrictions will not be authorized unless approved by the Golden Fire Department on the day of execution.
Exemptions approved under temporary Stage 1 fire restrictions:
- Use of liquid or gas-fueled appliances Any fires contained within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices
- Approved wood pellet grills
- Firepits (and tiki torches) at private residences or within a developed park, campground, or picnic area and not closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area and not closer than 15 feet of a structure or combustible material
- A chiminea or a portable outdoor fireplace at private residences or within a developed park, campground, or picnic area and not closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area, a structure, or combustible material
- Charcoal barbeque grills not closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area
- Welding and cutting torch appliances may only be operated in an area no closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped location. Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame within an area that is barren or cleared of all combustible material at least 10 feet on all sides from the equipment is allowed during fire restrictions.
- Recreational fires within a permanently constructed fire grate in a developed park, campground, private residence, or picnic area and not closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area
- Permitted fires by persons with a permit specifically authorizing the prohibited act such as a professional fireworks display. Contact must be made with the Golden Fire Department to verify the status of permits issued prior to the establishment of burn restrictions.
- Fire Department / District training fires
- Burning of explosive wastes by manufacturer of explosives in areas zoned for industrial use when the burning is supervised by the Golden Fire Department.
- Open fires or open burning by any federal, state, or local officer in the performance of official fire suppression functions Individuals operating under any of the above exemptions shall take adequate measures to prevent uncontrolled fires.
Possible measures include, but are not limited to:
- Containers of adequate water or dry soil nearby.
- Shovels, fire extinguishers, or other extinguishing agents nearby.
- Coordination with the Golden Fire Department to be on scene or standby during an activity.
Failure to adhere to these temporary Stage 1 fire restrictions violates the city code and is punishable by a fine not exceeding $2650 or imprisonment for a period of not more than 6 months, or by both fine and imprisonment if convicted.
These restrictions supersede all previous fire restrictions and bans and will remain in effect until superseded or rescinded by order of the Golden Fire Chief.
For questions or further information, contact the Golden Fire Department dispatch center (Jeffcom) at 303-980-7300.