Fire bans continue to limit us from using charcoal barbeques, smoking outside and using any tools or machines that create sparks. Officials say it's all in an effort to prevent more human-caused fires from popping up, but some local residents continue to ignore the warnings.

"In a summer like this, you just have to do what you have to do," local Beth Andrews said.

People in Mesa County are having to change their summer habits with a stage two fire ban still in place. That means: no using charcoal grills, no smoking outside or using anything that causes sparks.

"I think it's a really good thing," Andrews said. "We were disappointed we couldn't shoot off fireworks but the safety of our state is definitely more important. It wasn't worth the fine and the chance that a spark could catch or anything."

Andrews says if people don't follow the restrictions authorities have put in place we could end up having a man made wildfire starting here too.

"I have friends in Colorado Springs right where the Waldo Fire was and haven't heard form them whether they had to evacuate," Andrews said.  "I know it really affects a lot of homes and just thinking how I would feel in that situation with having small children."

But other locals like Douglas Allen say they continue to watch people throwing their cigarettes out the window, and he says they need to be held accountable.

"When I started driving back in the 50's stop meant stop," Allen said. "And legally stopped is three seconds."

"The sheriff isn't doing that because he's a kill joy, the sheriff's doing that because he knows the conditions are at an all time high," Colorado Senator Mark Udall said. "Our landscapes are tender boxes right now and we want to prevent any future fires from occurring."

But locals are still concerned that people who don't follow the fire bans are going to cause the whole county to suffer.

"The point is that people have been doing it for so long they're not going to change. you're not going to change them," Allen said.

Those who chose to illegally burn may face a Class 3 Misdemeanor, which is a criminal charge and a fine of up to $750. People will also be held liable for damages and firefighting costs if the fire gets out of control.