For Immediate Release
June 26, 2012

Contact: Jaime Walker
Town of Avon, Community Relations Officer
970-748-4087; jwalker@avon.org

Avon joins Eagle County in enacting Stage 2 fire restrictions
Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit open fires, camp fires, charcoal grills, tiki torches, smoking, fireworks as well as other activities that generate sparks

Avon, CO—The Avon Town Council on Tuesday joined Eagle County, the White River National Forest, Bureau of Land management and other local municipalities in enacting Stage 2 fire restrictions. While the Town of Avon falls within the Eagle River Fire Protection District service area, it is up to each municipality to enact its own fire restrictions. Avon law bans open burning without approval from the Town Manager, however the Stage 2 fire restrictions are more stringent that the municipal code and go further to protect life and property from man-made wildfires. Council cited the need to have consistent regulations and messaging throughout the county on this important issue. The fire restrictions take effect immediately and ban any open fire.

“Given the fire danger, we encourage everyone to strictly follow the fire restrictions and to be aware of the fire danger that exists throughout our community,” said Avon Mayor Rich Carroll.

Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit:
• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire, charcoal grill, any type of charcoal fueled broiler, Tiki torch, wood burning stove, sheepherders stove, or open-fire of any type. These restrictions include developed camping and picnic grounds. Devices using pressurized liquid or gas are exempted.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer, building or tent.
• Using an explosive requiring fuse or blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets and tracers or incendiary ammunition.
• Operating a chainsaw, cutoff saw, or any other mechanical equipment without an approved spark arrestor,without a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of 8 oz. capability by weight or larger and kept with the operator, and without one “O” or larger round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches that is readily available for use.
• Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame, except with a current permit, contract or letter of authorization. The welding area must be barren or cleared of all flammable material for 10 feet on all sides of the equipment.
• Operating or using any internal combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed and maintained in effective working order meeting either:
o Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100-1a; or
o Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practice J335(b) and J350(a).
The following persons are exempt from this order:
• Persons with a permit or letter of authorization specifically authorizing the prohibited act or omission.
• Any federal, state, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

A comprehensive listing of fire restrictions throughout the state and other fire related emergency information are available online at www.coemergency.com . Information on current wildfires in Colorado and around the country is available at www.inciweb.org.

Residents living in and near fire-prone areas are urged to be prepared for the worst by protecting their property through clearing brush and removing dead branches, along with many other steps that are outlined at www.firewise.org. In addition, residents should prepare emergency evacuation plans and make sure they have their most valuable and important possessions prepared for transport.

To receive real-time emergency text or email notifications, subscribe to EC Alert at www.ecalert.org.
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