By Shannon Lukens.
The Open Burn season in Routt County has been extended because of the deep snow. It was supposed to end last weekend, but Steamboat Springs Fire Marshal Doug Shaffer says they will evaluate conditions on a week-to-week basis. Routt County Open Burning
Moffat County does not have a specific burn season. You can have an Open Burn in Moffat County, unless the county is under fire restrictions.
In Routt County, if you want to have an Open Burn, get a burn permit from Routt County Environmental Health. It can’t be bigger than 10 feet either way. There has to be six inches of snow on the ground at the burn site. You have to start the burn before 11 a.m. and monitor it at all times. And you have to let Routt County Communications know before starting your open burn.
Here’s more from the City of Steamboat Springs and Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue; April 15, 2023.
Fire Protection District Open Burn Season Extended
Snowy Winter Prolongs Burn Period Which Typically Ends April 15
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-April 15, 2023-With many ski seasons lengthened due to one of the snowiest winters across the state, the Steamboat Springs Area Fire Protection District’s Open Burn Season will also benefit from the moisture with an extended burn period.
“Typically, the open burn period runs each year from November 1 through April 15,” said Fire Marshal Doug Shaffer. “However, the significant snow and wet conditions has allowed us to extend the burn period. We’ll evaluate conditions on a week-to-week basis to determine when burning will end.”
The following parameters, which still apply during the extended period, must be met prior to any open burn:
- Contact Routt County Environmental Health at 970.870.5588 prior to open burn for a permit.
- Burn piles must be less than 10’x10’x10’ and be devoid of any trash or materials more suited for the landfill.
- There must be 6 inches or more of snow on the ground at and around the burn site.
- Burning must be started prior to 11am, always monitored and be out by sunset.
- Call Routt County Communications prior to starting the burn at 970.879.1110
The extension is for the Steamboat Springs Fire Protection District and individuals outside the district should check with their local fire agency for current requirements.
Always observe fire safety guidelines and check the National Weather service Fire Weather pages for local fire weather forecasts: http://www.weather.gov/bou/fire. For additional questions, contact Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue at 970.879.7170.
“Please use caution during any open burn and consider alternatives before open burning for materials through recycling, reusing or disposal at a landfill,” continued Shaffer. “Since we’re talking burning, I would like to remind everyone that residential fire pits also require a permit.”
All residential recreational fire pits that burn wood within the district require inspection and a permit from SSFR. Additional information on fire pits can be found here.