Boulder has made changes to a new emergency ordinance that will require stricter fire safety regulations in the city.
The original ordinance, issued by City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde on Aug. 1, expands the city’s existing year-round fire restrictions. On Thursday, the city announced the ordinance has been amended to allow welding and hot work in certain areas with low wildfire risk.
According to a press release, the city made this change to “allow our automotive and construction companies in the city to continue doing business.” The original rule prohibited welding or the use of acetylene or other open flame torches outdoors.
Other parts of the original regulation remain in place. The new regulation prohibits:
• Open fires, campfires or stove fires on public or private property in Boulder, including camping and picnic areas. The city already banned open fires, but now charcoal grills, barbecues, coal and wood stoves and sheepherder stoves are also affected by the ban.
• Recreational shooting or use of firearms. Hunting is permitted, but only with a valid seasonal license.
• Smoking is permitted in most areas except in enclosed vehicles, buildings, developed recreation areas, or when stopped in an area at least 10 feet in diameter that is free of combustible materials.
• Using a chain saw without a properly installed, functioning spark arrestor approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Society of Automotive Engineers. When using a chain saw, the operator must have a pressure chemical fire extinguisher on hand and a round bucket at least 35 inches long.
• Using explosives, including fireworks, rockets, fuses or incendiary ammunition, or carrying out blasting operations.
• Using or possessing a motor vehicle away from paved roads, parking lots or motorized trails. The only exception is when the vehicle is parked in an area with no vegetation within 10 feet.
The new regulation was issued against the backdrop of increased fire danger in Boulder County and several wildfires along the Front Range in the last two weeks alone.
“The weather is hot and dry right now. The dew point is low in the morning and humidity is low during the day. The vegetation is also dry, which means a small spark is likely to spread,” Boulder Fire-Rescue Chief Michael Calderazzo said in a news release.
“Given the limited resources, we all need to do our part to reduce the need for another large-scale fire response.”
Rivera-Vandermyde expressed in the press release her hope that the new regulation will raise awareness of the fire danger and encourage the public to be cautious, thus helping to prevent another disaster.
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