Elk Creek Fire Protection District's Mission is:
To encourage and promote fire safety and fire prevention; to provide fire suppression and emergency medical services; and to make our mountain community a safe place to live, work and play.
COVID-19 UPDATE
Elk Creek Fire has declared a local disaster emergency.
Out of our commitment to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to keep our first responders and community members safe and well, Elk Creek Fire is implementing a COVID-19 specific protocol and closing our fire stations to the public. This will take place immediately.
Protocol: Jeffcom 911 dispatchers are using screening protocols to identify patients with potential COVID-19 symptoms. If COVID-19 is suspected, responders will limit exposure as much as possible and then determine whether transport is needed.
Closure: The closure of Elk Creek Fire buildings to the public means that all public meetings, gatherings, classes, and tours are cancelled. This includes previously scheduled CPR classes.
We understand this closure may cause some inconvenience, and we ask for your support and understanding as we take measures to protect the larger community.
The Fire Department remains staffed by first responders and administrative staff. Personnel remain available to address all emergency response needs.
At Elk Creek Fire, the health and safety of our community members and of our first responders is, and will remain, our number one priority. We are closely monitoring for changes and new information. We will continue following the suggestions of public health officials and our medical directors as we navigate this rapidly-evolving situation, and we will implement necessary measures to protect our responders and the public from the risk of exposure.
Please watch our social media sites for updates as well as continued education and safety messages regarding COVID-19.
For up to date information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, go to http://coronavirus.gov.
Wildland Fire and Mitigation Resources
Elk Creek provides chipping services, mitigation assessments, and wildfire resources and education. Here, you will also find information on employment with the Elk Creek Wildland Fire Suppression Module.
CPR Classes
Elk Creek provides monthly CPR and First Aid classes for the community. Sign up here.
TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED.
Current Elk Creek Fire Newsletter
Read our most recent quarterly newsletter.
(Past issues can be found here.)
Social Media
Stage 2 Fire Ban now in effect for our district. Please see below for the details.Temporary Stage 2 Fire Ban Implemented in Jefferson County
Sheriff Enacts Ban in Effort to Prevent Wildfires
Jefferson County, CO. – Effective at noon on July 9, 2020, Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Shrader will enact a Stage 2 Fire Ban for Jefferson County. This temporary Stage 2 Fire Ban supersedes all previous fire restrictions and bans.
THIS TEMPORARY STAGE 2 FIRE BAN APPLIES TO ALL LANDS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.
This ban is being enacted due to the continuing high fire danger condition within Jefferson County.
Pursuant to the Annual Operating Plan regarding the implementation of fire restrictions and fire bans, and due to the continuing high fire danger condition within Jefferson County, the following activities are prohibited pursuant to a Stage 2 fire ban:
Building, maintaining, attending or using any fire.
Recreational fires, including recreational campfires.
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area of at least six feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all combustible material. (2015 IFC 310.8)
Open burning including “bon fires” that require a permit from the fire authority having jurisdiction. (2015 IFC 105.6.32)
The USE of ALL fireworks, as defined below.
Shooting tracer rounds or explosive type targets.
Chain saws shall only be operated with a USDA or SAE approved spark arresting device properly installed and in proper working order, and having an extinguishing source, water, pressurized water extinguisher, or a proper chemical pressurized extinguisher large enough to handle nearby hazards and possessing at least one large size pointed shovel with an overall length of at least thirty-six inches. All must be readily available for quick use.
Welding and cutting torch appliances, as described below in the definition section, shall only be operated within an area that is barren or cleared of all combustible material at least 30 feet in all directions from the operating equipment. (2015 IFC 308.1.6) This operation may only be done during a declared “Fire Ban” upon receiving a permit from the Fire Authority having jurisdiction over the operating location. (2015 IFC 105.6.31)
Use of an explosive initiation system requiring a burning fuse line.
Exemptions approved under this temporary Stage 2 Fire Ban:
Use of liquid or gas fueled appliances.
Approved wood pellet grills.
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.
Definitions:
FIREWORKS: As defined in section 12-28-101(3) C.R.S, and shall specifically include “permissible fireworks” as defined in section 12-28-101(8) C.R.S.
INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE (IFC): Latest adopted Fire Code within Jefferson County; currently the 2015 edition.
LIQUID OR GAS FUELED APPLIANCES: 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.
OPEN FIRE AND OPEN BURNING: Any outdoor fire larger than a recreational fire and not contained within a portable outdoor fireplace. This includes but is not limited to campfires, bonfires, warming fires, the lighting of any fused explosives, permissible fireworks, the use of model rockets, “sky lanterns”, and the burning of fence lines or rows, grass lands, fields, farm lands, ditches, range lands, and wild lands. Permits from the fire district are required for open fires.
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.
RECREATIONAL FIRE: An outdoor fire burning material other than rubbish or debris where the fuel being burned is not contained in a portable outdoor fireplace or barbecue grill and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth, or similar purposes. This includes fires in barrels and drums; fixed, permanent outdoor fireplaces; and barbecue pit fires.
UNDEVELOPED AREAS: Lands that are not groomed, manicured, or watered, where grasses, brush and trees have been allowed to grow in a natural environment. This includes green belts that are not landscaped or manicured, open space lands, non-manicured park lands, and other areas where the fire hazard presented by the vegetation is determined to be an undue wildland fire hazard.
WELDING AND CUTTING TORCH APPLIANCES: Gas cylinder mixtures, electric and/or portable powered welders, and cutting appliances which produce heat, flame, sparks, molten metal slag, etc.
Pursuant to County Policy Part 3, Chapter 6, Section 2, Authorizing the Declaration of Open Fire Bans, violations of these prohibitions, upon conviction, is punishable by a fine of not more than $600.00. Such act(s) violate section(s) 102.8 and/or 308.2 of the International Fire Code.
This temporary fire ban becomes effective at 12:00 P.M. on July 9, 2020 and shall remain in effect until superseded or repealed.
Learn more and sign up to receive alerts via our website: www.jeffco.us/511/Fire-Restrictions-Bans
Please review the fire restriction info including all information regarding fireworks. Stay safe!REMINDER: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Implemented Since March in JeffCo
This Means NO Fireworks Allowed
Jefferson County, CO. – Effective at 3:00 p.m. on March 31, 2020, Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Shrader implemented temporary Stage 1 Fire Restrictions for all lands in Jefferson County.
Pursuant to the Annual Operating Plan regarding the implementation of Fire Restrictions and Fire Bans; and due to the continuing high fire danger condition within Jefferson County, the following activities are prohibited pursuant to Stage 1 fire restrictions:
Building, maintaining, attending or using any fire or recreational campfire, except a recreational fire within a permanently constructed fire grate in a developed park, campground, private residence, or picnic area.
NOTE: Individuals building exempted, private residential recreational campfires, as described above, are encouraged to contact their local fire agency and advise start and finish times to alleviate smoke check responses.
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area of at least six feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all combustible material. (2015 IFC 310.8)
Open Burning including "bonfires" that require a permit from the fire authority having jurisdiction, will not be allowed during these restrictions. (2015 IFC 105.6.32)
The USE of fireworks, as defined below, are prohibited within Jefferson County.
Shooting tracer rounds or explosive type targets.
NOTE: Burn permits issued and not executed prior to the effective date of these Temporary Fire Restrictions shall not be authorized unless approved by the issuing agency on the day of execution.
Exemptions approved under these temporary fire restrictions:
• Use of liquid or gas-fueled appliances
• Approved wood pellet grills
• Charcoal barbeque grills not closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area (2015 IFC 308.1.6)
• Portable outdoor fireplaces not closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area (2015 IFC 307.4.3)
• Welding and cutting torch appliances, as described above 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)
• Recreational fires not closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area (2015 IFC 307.4.2)
• 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 manufacturer 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.
DEFINITIONS
FIREWORKS: As defined in section 24-33.5-2001(5) C.R.S, and shall specifically include "permissible fireworks" as defined in section 24-33.5-2001(11) C.R.S.
INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE (IFC): Latest adopted Fire Code within Jefferson County. Currently the 2015 edition.
LIQUID OR GAS FUELED APPLIANCES: 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.
OPEN FIRE AND OPEN BURNING: Any outdoor fire larger than a recreational fire and not contained within a portable outdoor fireplace. This includes but is not limited to campfires, bonfires, warming fires, the lighting of any fused explosives, permissible fireworks, the use of model rockets, "sky lanterns", and the burning of fence lines or rows, grasslands, fields, farmlands, ditches, rangelands, and wildlands. Permits from the fire district are required for open fires.
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 manufacturer’s 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.
RECREATIONAL FIRE: An outdoor fire burning material other than rubbish or debris where the fuel being burned is not contained in a portable outdoor fireplace, or barbeque grill and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes. This includes fires in barrels and drums; fixed, permanent outdoor fireplaces; and barbeque pit fires.
UNDEVELOPED AREAS: Lands that are not groomed, manicured or watered, where grasses, brush, and trees have been allowed to grow in a natural environment. This includes green belts that are not landscaped or manicured, open space lands, non-manicured parklands, and other areas where the fire hazard presented by the vegetation is determined to be an undue wildland fire hazard.
WELDING AND CUTTING TORCH APPLIANCES: Gas cylinder mixtures, electric and/or portable powered welders and cutting appliances which produce heat, flame, sparks, molten metal slag, etc.
Pursuant to County Policy Part 3, Chapter 6, Section 2, authorizing the Declaration of Open Fire Bans, violations of these prohibitions, upon conviction, is punishable by a fine of not more than $600.00. Such act(s) violate section(s) 102.8 and/or 308.2 of the International Fire Code.
This temporary Fire Ban becomes effective at 3:00 P.M. on March 31, 2020, and shall remain in effect until superseded or repealed.
Most of the crew has been released from the #renaudfire. Some firefighters remain to monitor this small amount of still-burning heavy fuel.
Photos of the #renaudfire. The fire is 100% contained, but you may still see smoke because of the heavy logs still burning out in the interior/ inside the fire line. Crews are currently mopping up.
Elk Creek Fire is currently working a small wildland fire (Renaud Fire, less than 1/4 acre). It is located on a ridge approximately 1/4 mile south of Aspen Park. Currently no structures are threatened and no evacuations are in place.