Campfires no s'more!
Posted: 06.28.2011 at 9:10 PM
Updated: 06.29.2011 at 5:15 AM

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- It is a highlight of any camping trip - cooking over an open flame, but now many people will not get the chance to roast marshmallows this holiday weekend as campfires have been banned in several areas.

The city of Colorado Springs has issued a burn ban, and Cheyenne Mountain State Park is mirroring their restrictions because the park falls within city limits.

For campers that means all campfires, outdoor cooking, grilling, smoking, fireworks, torches, fire pots, candles, and open flames of any kind are banned.

"Anybody can be careless, and even if they are not careless sometimes it can get out of control," camper Mike Hardin said. "There are a lot of shrubs and bushes around here that do not need to burn up."

Hardin and his wife are visiting Cheyenne Mountain State Park from Texas.

He said they reserved their spot in the park six months ago, and have been looking forward to spending the Fourth of July in Colorado Springs.

"Even if it is raining, or the sun is shining, or there is a burn ban it is still worth being here," Hardin said.

He said he was disappointed to hear about the burn ban, but added he and his wife are improvising, doing their cooking in a crockpot inside their RV.

Park managers said those planning to grill, or cook over an open flame are simply out of luck.

"As far as fires go there is nothing you can do, it is completely banned at this point in time, so any cooking you are going to do will have to take place within a closed facility," Park Manager Mitchell Martin said.

Martin said they will have rangers out patrolling during the holiday weekend, and anyone caught violating the ban will fined.

"One of our top priorities is protecting natural resources, so therefore we want to ensure we protect this natural resource for future generations," Martin said.

Along with protecting mother nature, Martin said public safety is also a concern.

Precautions most campers are willing to comply with, even if it means heading into town for a meal.

"Out to eat, I think we are going to do hamburgers and ice cream," camper Melissa McCabe said.

Martin said every state park is different, and it is important to do your research before heading out.

He said even if you have already called the visitor's center, call again, because burn bans can change at a moment's notice.

For the latest fire restrictions in El Paso County click here.

For the latest fire restrictions in Colorado Springs click here.