Gov. Polis announces 30-day statewide fire ban as wildfires spread

Governor Jared Polis announced Tuesday afternoon that he is implementing a 30-day, statewide ban on fires.

While the ban prohibits open flames like campfires and fireworks, Polis said people can still use home grills, camp stoves, and approved, covered fire pits. Polis said almost every county in Western Colorado already had this ban in effect.

The announcement comes as Colorado is battling multiple major wildfires.

“Three of the four fires that we’re currently fighting were likely caused by human activity," Polis said in a press conference. "And hot, dry weather is making fire behavior extreme.”

Polis said that Coloradans need to do everything they can to prevent new fires from happening.

"As we've said before with regard to coronavirus...now is not the time to party. We've added that now is not the time to have campfires or fireworks," Polis said. "We can enjoy our great vast outdoors in a safe way."

The largest active wildfire in the state is the Pine Gulch Fire, which started about 18 miles north of Grand Junction. The smoke from the blaze spans across the state. It is one of the largest wildfires in Colorado history.

The statewide fire ban comes after Rocky Mountain National Park implemented a total fire ban until further notice on August 14.

As of last week, the entire state is under drought or "abnormally dry conditions."

On August 18, Denver recorded a record-high temperature for the date: 100 degrees.

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s incident website is a good resource to track the fires' spread and the percent of the fire that has been contained.