SHR

Prevention

The Larimer County Sheriff's Office Emergency Services Unit and local fire departments/districts monitor potential wildfire conditions throughout the year.  The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners will impose fire restrictions when necessary based on the recommendations of the Sheriff's Office and/or any fire chief or fire agency within Larimer County.  If fire restrictions are in place in Larimer County, it will be noted at the top of this page.

Regardless of the current conditions, residents and visitors to Larimer County are encouraged to exercise caution with any potential source of ignition.

  • Campfires - only build campfires when and where authorized, do not leave them unattended, and put them out completely.  Use ample water and stir until the coals are cool to the touch.
  • Cigarette and cigar butts - dispose of lit smoking materials properly.
  • Heat transfer from exhaust systems - do not park a vehicle in areas with tall grass that could catch fire.
  • Grinding and welding - keep a shovel and fire extinguisher close and ready to use as these activities can start fires.
  • Lawn mowers - metal blades striking rocks can create sparks and start fires.

Wildfire Evacuations

In the event of an active wildfire, the Larimer County Sheriff's Office may issue evacuation notices for your safety.  We do so via NOCOAlert.  If you have a landline, you will receive emergency alerts on that phone.  If you do not have a landline or wish to receive emergency alerts on your cell phone, visit www.nocoalert.org to register for free.  LCSO issues two types of evacuation notices:

  • Voluntary Evacuation - Evacuations are advised for residents and businesses if they are concerned for their safety, feel they need additional time to exit the area, or have health conditions that may be aggravated by smoke.  You are encouraged to move livestock and pets out of the area and prepare for mandatory evacuations.  You may also be asked to report to a specific location to notify officials of your choice to evacuate.
  • Mandatory Evacuation - Mandatory evacuations have been ordered to residents and businesses due to immediate and imminent danger.  Evacuate the area immediately and as quickly as possible.  Do not delay leaving to gather belongings or make efforts to protect your home or business.  Evacuating immediately not only supports your safety, but also allows emergency crews better access to the area.  You may also be asked to report to a specific location to notify officials that you have evacuated the area.

Immediately call 911 and provide details such as how the fire started, the location, and approximate size fo the fire.

If you do not have adequate cell phone service to call 911, try texting to 911.  Remember - call if you can, text if you must.

If necessary, drive to a location with cell service.

Immediately call the LCSO non-emergency number (970)416-1985.

Provide emergency dispatchers with the best location of the source of the smoke, where you are, the color of the smoke, and any characteristics of the smoke you can describe.

Any fireworks that leave the ground or explode are illegal in Colorado. Legal fireworks include the following:

fountains,
toy caps,
snake or glow worms,
ground spinners,
illuminating torches,
dipped sticks and sparklers,
toy propellants,
noise makers that crackle or whistle, but don't explode

It is unlawful to furnish fireworks to anyone under 16 years of age. Those under 16 are also prohibited by law from buying fireworks.

Colorado Revised Statute 24-33.5-2001

(11)  "Permissible fireworks" means the following small fireworks devices designed to produce audible or visual effects by combustion, complying with the requirements of the United States consumer product safety commission as set forth in 16 CFR 1500.1 to 1500.272 and 1507.1 to 1507.12, and classified as consumer fireworks UN0336 and UN0337 pursuant to 49 CFR 172.101:

(I)  Cylindrical fountains, total pyrotechnic composition not to exceed seventy-five grams each for a single tube or, when more than one tube is mounted on a common base, a total pyrotechnic composition of no more than two hundred grams;

(II)  Cone fountains, total pyrotechnic composition not to exceed fifty grams each for a single cone or, when more than one cone is mounted on a common base, a total pyrotechnic composition of no more than two hundred grams;

(III)  Wheels, total pyrotechnic composition not to exceed sixty grams for each driver unit or two hundred grams for each complete wheel;

(IV)  Ground spinner, a small device containing not more than twenty grams of pyrotechnic composition venting out of an orifice usually in the side of the tube, similar in operation to a wheel, but intended to be placed flat on the ground;

(V)  Illuminating torches and colored fire in any form, total pyrotechnic composition not to exceed two hundred grams each;

(VI)  Dipped sticks and sparklers, the total pyrotechnic composition of which does not exceed one hundred grams, of which the composition of any chlorate or perchlorate shall not exceed five grams;

(VII)  Any of the following that do not contain more than fifty milligrams of explosive composition:

(A)  Explosive auto alarms;

(B)  Toy propellant devices;

(C)  Cigarette loads;

(D)  Strike-on-box matches; or

(E)  Other trick noise makers;

(VIII)  Snake or glow worm pressed pellets of not more than two grams of pyrotechnic composition and packaged in retail packages of not more than twenty-five units;

(IX)  Fireworks that are used exclusively for testing or research by a licensed explosives laboratory;

(X)  Multiple tube devices with:

(A)  Each tube individually attached to a wood or plastic base;

(B)  The tubes separated from each other on the base by a distance of at least one-half of one inch;

(C)  The effect limited to a shower of sparks to a height of no more than fifteen feet above the ground;

(D)  Only one external fuse that causes all of the tubes to function in sequence; and

(E)  A total pyrotechnic composition of no more than five hundred grams.

(b)  "Permissible fireworks" do not include aerial devices or audible ground devices, including, but not limited to, firecrackers.

24-33.5-2002

(1)  Except as provided for in subsection (6) of this section, it shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly furnish to any person who is under sixteen years of age, by gift, sale, or any other means, any fireworks, including those defined as permissible fireworks in section 24-33.5-2001 (11).

(2)  Except as provided for in subsection (6) of this section, it shall be unlawful for any person who is under sixteen years of age to purchase any fireworks, including those defined as permissible fireworks in section 24-33.5-2001 (11).

(4)  IT IS ILLEGAL FOR ANY PERSON UNDER SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE TO PURCHASE ANY FIREWORKS. VIOLATORS MAY BE PUNISHED BY A FINE OF UP TO $750.00, BY IMPRISONMENT FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS, OR BY BOTH SUCH FINE AND IMPRISONMENT. (5) Except as provided in this section and in section 24-33.5-2003, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess or discharge any fireworks, other than permissible fireworks, anywhere in this state. 

If the Larimer County Sheriff's Office has command of an active fire, the LCSO Public Information Office is the most accurate source of information.  Most updates will be posted to Twitter as the information becomes available.  LCSO also utilizes Facebook and Nextdoor to post less frequent, but more comprehensive reports about active fires.  LCSO may also issue press releases in hopes the local media will share the information with their readers.

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