Campfires and smoking are now prohibited in all campgrounds of the Boulder Ranger District, the U.S. Forest Service announced Tuesday as part of its Stage 2 fire restrictions.
The new ban, which goes into effect immediately, extends to all campgrounds in the Boulder Ranger District including Meeker Park, Olive Ridge, Peaceful Valley, Camp Dick, Pawnee, Rainbow Lakes and Kelly Dahl campgrounds.
Hot and dry weather, and staffing all played into the decision, said K. “Reid” Armstrong, public affairs specialist for Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests.
“We’ve gotten more rain in the flatlands than they’ve gotten in the mountains, so we’re really trying to look at the long-term weather forces,” Armstrong said. “There’s not enough (rain) to change these long-term trends. With staffing, we’ve got fires elsewhere in the state putting pressure on our ability to respond quickly to little starts. And with Boulder County, specifically, there’s also some social pressure and concern among people , and we understand that.”The new Stage 2 restrictions extend to charcoal and wood burning stoves, grills and barbecues. Gas stoves, grills and lanterns with a shut-off valve are permitted when used at least three feet or more from flammable materials such as grass or pine needles, according to Armstrong.
Under these restrictions, smoking is only allowed within an enclosed vehicle or building.
Campfires were already prohibited everywhere else on the Boulder Ranger District under Stage 1 fire restrictions. A temporary sports shooting restriction also remains in place on all National Forest System lands in Boulder County.
The rest of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests remain under Stage 1 fire restrictions, which limit campfires to paid campsites and picnic areas with permanent metal rings and grills. This includes all National Forest System lands in Grand, Clear Creek, Larimer and parts of Gilpin and Jefferson counties.
Fire restrictions will remain in place until the Forest Service determines conditions have improved enough to ease them, Armstrong said. Violations can result in fines of up to $5,000 and even jail time.
For a full list and maps of fire restrictions visit .