COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- As wildfires continue to burn across the state, several organizations have ordered fire restrictions in hopes of preventing new fires.
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) have issued Stage 1 fire and smoking restrictions.
The restrictions include all of El Paso County and the Pike and San Isabel National Forests.
"Currently we just went to Stage 1 fire restrictions which bans open burning," Commander Jim Reid with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office said.
Campfires are still permitted in select areas.
"You can still use a designated pit that's clear of flammables. Campgrounds, park grounds, that have designated pits for campfires," Reid said.
The ban also doesn't apply to liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves, fireplaces contained within buildings, charcoal grills at private residences, or specific prescribed or controlled burns for agricultural or irrigation purposes.
But the sale and use of fireworks along with outdoor smoking is out.
"You'll notice it's kind of warm. There are fires all over the state at this point. I know that Park County has a couple of fires going, of course we have the Larimer fire, there was a huge fire down in New Mexico, so federal resources are being used across the state and I think it's a good precautionary measure to make sure our folks are safe," Reid said.
Smoking is allowed within enclosed buildings or vehicles, in a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
"So I guess the bottom line of what we're looking for we want people to be cautious. I know that the citizens of El Paso County are used to this, this happens every year," Reid said.
Governor Hickenlooper also ordered an executive order Thursday banning all private use of fireworks and open burning throughout the state.
"The threat to life and property really has I think grown to a point where we need to just get questions out of people's minds, have a unified approach to how we're going to address this," he said.
His ban also doesn't apply to campfires in permanent pits .
"We want everybody very very focused that this is an extremely dry hot and windy time of the year and the forecast seems to be showing no end in site," Hickenlooper said.
But within city limits of Colorado Springs no restrictions are currently in place. However, firefighters said they may not be far behind.
"We're recognizing their concerns and we're looking at potentially going into restrictions maybe on Monday," Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) Fire Marshal Brett Lacey said.
Lacey said while there are no restrictions in place he is still asking people to be cautious.
"I'm urging everyone to kind of share in the responsibility. Do what you can to mitigate dead and diseased vegetation around your home, try to provide that clear space and defensible space," he said.
Lacey also recommended having an evacuation plan and reporting fire or smoke right away.
He said the current fire danger is high.
"If we have periods of moisture or if we have periods of very dry hot weather that can change either direction. My thought is probably through the weekend we'll still be in high, but it is very likely that coming into next week we could be in very high."
Those who fail to comply with the restrictions will face fines and citations.
Fire officials said at least 44 of the state's 64 counties are listed at high, very high, or extreme wildfire danger.
Hickenlooper said commercial fire work displays for the upcoming holiday will be permitted if approval is granted by the sheriff of the county in which the fireworks display is to take place.
El Paso County officials said at this point it's too early to tell what will happen.
"We'll be in discussions and we'll talk with the city and our counterparts and see where we're at when that time comes, and we'll make the right decision when the time comes for that," Reid said.
The wildfire danger and individual restrictions for every Colorado county can be found here.
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