VIDEO/PHOTOS: El Paso County Commissioners are set to discuss the adoption of a countywide fire code and new regulations for outdoor businesses, a move that could significantly impact residents and business owners. Currently, El Paso County lacks a unified fire code, which officials have said poses a risk to public safety.
According to El Paso County, since 2019, more than a dozen fires have occurred at outdoor businesses such as salvage yards and recycling facilities across the county. Different areas of El Paso County operate under varying versions of the International Fire Code, some dating back to 2009. This inconsistency has left emergency service districts without the necessary tools to enforce fire safety codes. County leaders are advocating for the adoption of the 2021 International Fire Code, which would provide fire officials with uniform standards.
