Fire Restriction Details

Operating a chain saw with a USDA or SAE approved spark arresting device properly installed and in effective working order, and having a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of not less than eight (8) ounces capacity by weight, and possessing one large size pointed shovel with an overall length of at least thirty-six (36) inches is allowed during fire restrictions. The extinguisher shall be with the chain saw operator. The shovel may be kept with the fueling supplies, but readily available for quick use.

Charcoal grills use either charcoal briquettes or all-natural lump charcoal as their fuel source. The charcoal, when burned, will transform into embers radiating the heat necessary to cook food.

Charcoal grill fires at private residences or within a permanently constructed grate in a developed park, campground, or picnic area are allowed during fire restrictions.  

Charcoal barbeque grills shall not be closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area (2015 IFC 308.1.6)

A chiminea or a portable outdoor fireplace at private residences or within a developed park, campground, or picnic area and are not closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area, a structure, or combustible material is allowed during Jefferson County fire restriction (308.1.6), (307.4.3).

DEFINITIONS:

A chiminea is a freestanding front-loading fireplace or oven with a bulbous body and usually a vertical smoke vent or chimney.

Fires start very quickly in chimineas after ignition with papers and small pieces of wood. When in full burn after just 15 minutes, they give off tremendous heat due to their design which allows much more air to be drawn in than, for example, a fire basket.

Portable Outdoor Fireplace: A commercially purchased portable, outdoor, solid-fuel-burning fireplace that may be constructed of steel, concrete, clay, or other non-combustible material. A portable outdoor fireplace may be open in design or may be equipped with a small hearth opening and a short chimney or chimney opening at the top. These devices must be operated according to the manufacturers' instructions with all covers, screens, spark arresters, and grates in place. Portable outdoor fireplaces shall not be operated within 30 feet of a structure or combustible material.

Fire pits at private residences or within a developed park, campground, or picnic area and are not closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area and not closer than 15 feet of a structure or combustible material is allowed during Jefferson County fire restriction (308.1.6), (307.4.3).

DEFINITION:

Liquid or Gas-Fueled Appliances such as fire pits, grills, camp stoves, and Tiki torches that burn liquid or gaseous fuels and can be shut off. This does not include any device that burns solid fuels such as wood or charcoal and which must be extinguished.

Any fires contained within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices are allowed during fire restrictions.

DEFINITION:

Liquid or Gas-Fueled Appliances such as fire pits, grills, camp stoves, and Tiki torches that burn liquid or gaseous fuels and can be shut off. This does not include any device that burns solid fuels such as wood or charcoal and which must be extinguished.

Exemptions approved under this temporary fire restrictions include the following permitted fires.

• Permitted fires by persons with a permit specifically authorizing the prohibited act such as professional fireworks displays. Contact must be made with the permitting authority to verify the status of permits issued prior to the establishment of burn restrictions.
• Fire Department/District training fires.
• Burning of explosive wastes by manufacturers of explosives in areas zoned for industrial use, when the burning is supervised by the fire protection district.
• Open fires or open burning by any federal, state, or local officer in the performance of official fire suppression functions.

Individuals operating under any of the above exemptions shall take adequate measures to prevent uncontrolled fires. Possible measures include, but are not limited to:

• Containers of adequate water or dry soil nearby.
• Shovels, fire extinguishers, or other extinguishing agents nearby.
• Coordination with the local fire department or district to be on scene or standby during an activity

Tiki torches at private residences or within a developed park, campground, or picnic area and are not closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area and not closer than 15 feet of a structure or combustible material is allowed during Jefferson County fire restriction (308.1.6), (307.4.3).

DEFINITION:

Liquid or Gas-Fueled Appliances such as fire pits, grills, camp stoves, and Tiki torches that burn liquid or gaseous fuels and can be shut off. This does not include any device that burns solid fuels such as wood or charcoal and which must be extinguished.

Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame within an area that is barren or cleared of all combustible material at least 10 feet on all sides from the equipment is allowed during fire restrictions.

Welding and cutting torch appliances, as described below in the definition section, may only be operated in an area no closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area (2015 IFC 308.1.6)

DEFINITION:

Welding and Cutting Torch Appliances: Gas cylinder mixtures, electric and/or portable powered welders and cutting appliances that produce heat, flame, sparks, molten metal slag, etc.

Approved wood pellet grills are exempt under these temporary fire restrictions.