Fire Restrictions

Important Information About Fire Restrictions

Current Fire Restriction Information

UPDATED 7.2.26 - 2:15 p.m. 

Gunnison County is currently in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. During Stage 2 Restrictions, there is NO OPEN BURNING or campfires, and only devices using pressurized liquid or gas (stoves, grills or lanterns) that include shut-off valves are allowed. See below for additional information about what is allowed and not allowed in Stage 2 Restrictions.

In addition, a RED FLAG WARNING has been issued for Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3, from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning when low humidity, high temperatures, and strong winds combine to create extreme fire weather conditions.

For questions, call (970) 642-4686 or the Sheriff's Office at (970) 641-1113. 

Check local fire restriction ordinances and rules for municipalities and federal lands, as they may be different than the County.

The information below describes what is prohibited and allowed under different stages of fire restrictions for unincorporated Gunnison County.

 

RED FLAG WARNING

Under a Red Flag Warning, absolutely no open burning is allowed, and the only fires that are permitted are in liquid or gas-fueled devices with shut-off valves. No other burning or campfires of any type are permitted during Red Flag Warning hours.

 

STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS

CLICK HERE FOR A POSTER OF STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTION INFORMATION

Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, the following are PROHIBITED:

  • Campfires outside of permanently constructed fire rings 
  • All personal fireworks use 
  • Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area of at least three feet of barren or cleared of all combustible material 
  • Explosive targets 
  • Welding or operating acetylene torches with open flame, except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter and when the operator is in possession of a chemical-pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A 
  • Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark-arresting device that is in effective working order and has been properly installed and maintained 
  • Agricultural burning 

Under STAGE 1 restrictions, the following are ALLOWED:

  • Permanent/Established Fire Devices - fire within permanently constructed fire devices on private property or in developed recreational sites such as campgrounds or picnic areas Flame length cannot exceed two feet in height
  • Temporary/Portable Fire Devices: fires in portable chimney's, fire pits, and tiki torches are permitted only on private property
  • Stoves, lanterns, cooking, and heating devices: Fires may be fueled by liquid, jellied petroleum or gas, and they must be contained within the devices
  • Chainsaws: Chainsaws are allowed only if the device includes a USDA forest service or SAE approved spark arrester, and where the operator is in possession of a chemical-pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2a.

 

STAGE 2 FIRE RESTRICTIONS

CLICK HERE FOR A POSTER OF STAGE 2 FIRE RESTRICTION INFORMATION.

Under STAGE 2 restrictions, the following are PROHIBITED:

  • All personal uses of fireworks
  • Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. This includes charcoal grills and barbecues, coal and wood burning stoves and sheepherder’s stoves and includes use in developed camping and picnic grounds. (Note:  Use of charcoal grills, hibachis and coal or wood-burning stoves is always prohibited on federal land.)
  • Smoking (cigarettes, cigars, etc.), except within an enclosed vehicle, building or trailer. 
  • Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame. 
  • Possessing or using either standard or off-road motor vehicles off established roads, motorized trails or established parking areas, except when parking in an area devoid or vegetation within 10 feet of the vehicle.
  • Explosive targets.  This includes, but is not limited to, fuses or blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, and tracers or incendiary devices.
  • Agricultural burns.
  • Operating a chainsaw unless it utilizes an approved spark-arresting device (as described in the “Combustion Engines” section), a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (8 oz. capacity by weight or larger and kept with the operator) and a round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily
  • Operating or using any internal combustion engine(e.g. chainsaw, generator, ATV), unless it utilizes a spark-arresting device that is properly installed, maintained and in effective working order meeting either:
    1. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100-1a; or 
    2. Appropriate Society of automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practice J335(b) and J350(a) available for use.

Under STAGE 2 restrictions, the following are ALLOWED:

  • Devices using pressurized liquid or gas (stoves, grills or lanterns) that include shut-off valves are allowed when used in an area at least three feet or more from flammable material such as grasses or pine needles.

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