Apogaea FIRE Bulletin

All comm – All comm! A brief update on our fire and burn ban status from Sam Ley, Fire Operations Lead for Apogaea.

As most of you have noticed, Colorado has been a bit on the dry side recently, and has a very low snowpack. This means low embodied moisture in our vegetation, which creates dangerous fire conditions. All of this means that summer Burn Bans are a very real possibility. Here is what you need to do to stay up-to-date as we get closer to our event.

Register Your Fire

If you are bringing a “Fire Device”, such as a burn barrel, flaming sculpture, propane poofer, jetpack, or “anything flaming that isn’t a cookstove or fire performance gear (poi/staff)”, it must be PRE-REGISTERED along with art projects and theme camps! If you are already making a theme camp or art registration, make sure you add details about your FIRE THINGS to the form. If you are just bringing a burn barrel but are not registering a theme camp, then please register your device on it’s own.

WHY? The jurisdiction and land owner trust us to manage our fire safety in part because we commit to knowing what is going on at all times on the property. By registering, I know what is on fire where, and can answer any questions asked of us by the local jurisdictions or land owner. Also, if you register, I have your contact information and will give you regular updates on burn ban status, and advice on our rules for burn barrels and other fire devices to make sure they are both safe and awesome.

PRE-REGISTRATION FORM: https://apogaea.com/art-camps-things/pre-registration-form/

Burn Bans

There are three levels of burn ban that you should be aware of. These levels are set by Apogaea, and reflect our own needs, the needs of the land owner, and the needs of the local fire authority, all of whom we are in constant communication with. Burn ban status can change at any time, even partway through the event! As of today (4/7) there is No Burn Ban, but that can and will change on a weekly basis as we approach June.

• NO BURN BAN– This is our default state. Note that even with no burn ban, some things are still not allowed:
  • NO in-ground fires
  • NO tiki torches or candles
  • NO open-top burn barrels
  • NO unregistered structure burns
  • YES approved burn barrels and fire devices
  • YES approved art burns
  • YES fire performances
• LEVEL 1 BAN – “PARTIAL BAN” – This level of ban restricts some of our fire use, but allows others:
• NO wood burning fires (including burn barrels)
• NO art burns
• NO open fires
• YES propane fire devices in approved locations
• YES fire performances in specific approved locations
• LEVEL 2 BAN – “FULL BAN” – A full ban indicates serious fire danger!
• NO fires
• NO fire performances
• NO smoking outside of enclosed spaces
• YES propane cookstoves if fully protected and elevated

What Should I DO?

1. Ask Questions: [email protected]
2. Register your fire devices: https://apogaea.com/art-camps-things/pre-registration-form/
3. Fire Performers (poi, staff, hoop, etc.) – Check in with Fire Convergence when you arrive – they will know the current status for fire performance, and if special zones have been setup due to fire danger. (for more info. contact Enthusi Adam)
4. Plan on a possible burn ban:
1. Extra dry and warm clothing
2. Consider building propane inserts for burn barrels or stoves
3. Tons of sweet blinky LED powered things to light up the night
5. Stay in touch – further updates will come as we approach the event.
6. Stay awesome – burn bans are a reality for Apogaea, but there is no reason that should slow us down!