Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle today enacted a fire ban for the western parts of the county due to warm temperatures and low moisture.

The ban went into effect at 10:30 a.m. today, according to a news release.

The ban includes the mountain areas of Boulder County west of Colo. 93, west of U.S. 36 north of Boulder, and west of Broadway within the city of Boulder. All of Rabbit Mountain Open Space is also included in the ban.

The ban prohibits open fires, fireworks, recreational shooting, smoking near flammable materials, and use of explosives. Fires in permanent fire pits at recreational sites and on private lands is allowed.

Violating the fire ban is a Class 2 petty offense that carries a $500 fine.

The National Weather Service calls for highs in the 70s this week in the county along with high winds.

Boulder County has already had one significant fire this year, with the Rabbit Mountain Fire consuming 150 acres in February.

Mitchell Byars: 303-473-1329, byarsm@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/mitchellbyars.