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City staff say open-space mowing crews took precautions after nearby apartment fires; chief urges caution on open burns
Summary
Staff updated the council that crews carried water while mowing open spaces to reduce ignition risk after nearby apartment fires; the fire chief said county restrictions mean 'no open fires' in the city and clarified Horsetail Falls is federal land where campfires in pits may still be allowed.
City staff raised concerns about the fire risk from open-space mowing and said crews were instructed to carry water while working to extinguish any accidental ignitions. "We did take precautions," Shane said, noting staff reviewed mowing practices after reports that some apartment buildings burned following county mowing operations.
The Fire Chief told council members county fire restrictions effectively mean there should be no open fires in the city and recommended posting guidance on social media. The chief clarified Horsetail Falls falls under federal jurisdiction (U.S. Forest Service), where campfires in designated pits or rings may still be allowed under forest-service rules, and cautioned that nearby federal lands can still present fire risk to Alpine.
