Golden, Colo. – March 31, 2020 – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Golden Fire Department (GFD) is imposing temporary Stage 1 Fire Restrictions effective Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at 4 p.m. The restrictions are in place to reduce the likelihood of the City’s firefighting resources going toward battling wildfires and in turn, creating another opportunity for virus exposure. These restrictions are for the corporate city limits of Golden and are independent but in conjunction with fire restriction orders in Jefferson County.
All open burning, including bonfires; open flame torches and welding in wildfire risk areas and model rockets are prohibited. Also banned is the use of recreational fires within 30 feet of undeveloped areas including green belts and open space lands. Smoking within six feet of any outdoor area not cleared of combustible vegetation is also prohibited.
Exceptions to these temporary restrictions include: supervised public fireworks displays by a state licensed operator (subject to specific GFD operational permit requirements); outdoor cooking fires contained within commercial gas fueled grills, enclosed wood or wood pellet grills or smokers; enclosed outdoor fireplaces or chimineas; powered yard equipment for landscape purposes; any federal, state or local law enforcement officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
The fire restrictions will remain in effect indefinitely. Fire Chief Alicia Welch will continue to monitor the risks associated with COVID-19, state/county/city mandated guidelines, and the weather – and reassess as necessary.
