Guide to Fire Bans

Why This Matters

Wildfires are a serious and growing risk in Colorado. Even a small escaped campfire or spark from a fire pit can quickly become a devastating wildfire, threatening lives, homes, wildlife, and entire communities. Fire bans exist to reduce that risk during dry, windy, or high-danger conditions. By understanding and following the rules for your specific location, you help protect the landscapes we all love and avoid unintentional damage. BurnBound makes it easier to see the current picture across overlapping jurisdictions — so you can plan responsibly and enjoy your trip with confidence.

What Are Fire Bans?

Fire bans (also called fire restrictions) are temporary rules that limit or prohibit open burning when wildfire risk is high. They are issued by government agencies — counties, fire districts, federal land managers — and carry legal penalties for violations.

Fire bans change frequently during fire season (typically May through September in Colorado) as weather conditions, drought levels, and fire danger fluctuate. Check the BurnBound map for current conditions across all monitored jurisdictions.

Official Statewide Resources

These trusted government sources provide additional context and direct links:

• Colorado DFPC Fire Restriction Information — Statewide overview with links to local and federal agencies.
• Colorado Emergency Management Fire Restrictions Map — Interactive map showing county-level restrictions and information links.
• BLM Colorado Fire Restrictions Dashboard — Current restrictions on Bureau of Land Management lands in Colorado.
• National Weather Service Fire Weather — Official Fire Weather Watches, Red Flag Warnings, and alerts.

Data Accuracy

We work hard to keep data accurate, but automated systems have inherent limitations. Source websites can change format, go offline, or update in ways our scrapers don't catch immediately. Some restrictions may lag behind official sources by up to a few hours.

Jurisdiction-level monitoring: BurnBound tracks fire restrictions at the jurisdiction level. If any part of a jurisdiction has an active restriction, the entire jurisdiction is highlighted on the map. In practice, some restrictions may only apply to specific areas within a jurisdiction — for example, a county may restrict burns only in unincorporated wildland areas, or a national forest may close specific ranger districts while others remain open. Check official sources for sub-area specifics.

Always verify fire restriction status with official sources before making any fire-related decisions. BurnBound is a convenient starting point, not a definitive authority. See our FAQ for more details.

Understanding Ban Levels

Fire restrictions follow a general escalation pattern, but the specific rules vary widely by jurisdiction. Every county, fire district, and federal agency writes its own restriction orders with different language, different prohibited activities, and different exceptions. The levels below describe what is typical — your specific location may be more or less restrictive. Always read the actual restriction order for the jurisdiction you are visiting.

No Restrictions

No fire bans in effect. Standard fire safety rules still apply: never leave a fire unattended, clear the area around your fire pit, and fully extinguish all fires before leaving.

Fire Weather Watch (NWS)

Issued by the National Weather Service when weather conditions could lead to dangerous fire behavior. Not a fire ban — it is a weather alert indicating elevated risk. Conditions may develop into a Red Flag Warning.

Red Flag Warning (NWS)

Issued by the National Weather Service when critical fire weather conditions are imminent or occurring — typically a combination of low humidity, high winds, and dry conditions. Not a fire ban itself, but Red Flag Warnings often accompany or precede ban announcements from local jurisdictions.

Stage 1 Fire Ban

The first level of active fire restriction. Exact rules differ by jurisdiction, but typical prohibitions include:

• Open burning, campfires, and charcoal grills outside of designated areas
• Fireworks and explosive materials
• Smoking outdoors (except in enclosed vehicles or buildings)
• Welding or operating acetylene torches in vegetated areas

Typically still allowed: fires in permanent fire grates at developed campgrounds, gas/propane stoves, and enclosed propane fire pits with on/off valves.

Stage 2 Fire Ban

A more severe restriction. Again, each jurisdiction defines this differently, but in addition to Stage 1 prohibitions you will typically see:

• All campfires prohibited, even in designated fire grates
• Propane fire pits typically prohibited (though enclosed propane cooking stoves are usually still allowed)
• Charcoal grills prohibited
• Stricter limits on outdoor smoking
• Some jurisdictions restrict chainsaw and equipment use

Typically still allowed: gas/propane cooking stoves and grills with on/off valves in cleared areas.

Full Closure / Area Closure

The most severe restriction level. The area is closed to public entry entirely:

• All fires and ignition sources prohibited
• All propane and gas devices prohibited
• Public access restricted — no entry or camping allowed
• Emergency personnel only
• Violations may result in fines and/or imprisonment

NWS Watches vs. Warnings

The National Weather Service (NWS) issues fire weather alerts that are separate from jurisdiction-issued fire bans:

• Fire Weather Watch: Conditions may develop that support dangerous fire behavior. This is an advisory — be prepared, but conditions have not yet materialized.
• Red Flag Warning: Critical fire weather conditions are imminent or already occurring. High winds, low humidity, and dry fuels create an elevated wildfire risk.

These NWS alerts are not fire bans. They describe weather conditions, not legal restrictions. However, local jurisdictions often issue or escalate fire bans in response to Red Flag Warnings. BurnBound displays both NWS alerts and jurisdiction bans on the map so you can see the full picture.

Who Issues Fire Bans?

Fire restrictions in Colorado come from multiple overlapping authorities. Understanding who manages the land you are visiting is essential:

• Counties — Issue fire bans for unincorporated county land under Colorado state law. County sheriffs typically enforce these restrictions.
• Fire Protection Districts — Some of Colorado's 244 fire districts issue their own independent fire bans under the International Fire Code (IFC 307.1.1). Others follow their parent county's restrictions. BurnBound tracks which districts are independent.
• U.S. Forest Service (USFS) — Each national forest issues its own restriction orders under 36 CFR 261.50. These are independent of county bans, with one notable exception (see below).
• Bureau of Land Management (BLM) — Each BLM field office issues its own fire orders under 43 CFR Part 9212. Fully independent of county restrictions.
• National Park Service (NPS) — Each national park and monument sets its own fire restrictions independently.
• Military Installations — Base commanders have full authority over fire restrictions. Most mirror the surrounding county's rules but can deviate at their discretion.
• State Parks — Colorado state parks generally follow county-level fire restrictions.

Federal vs. Local Authority

One of the most important things to understand about fire bans: federal land is not bound by county fire bans.

Under the federal enclave doctrine, county ordinances issued under Colorado state law have no automatic enforcement power on federal property. This means:

• A county ban does not automatically apply on BLM land within that county
• A county ban does not automatically apply in a national forest
• Different agencies in the same area can be at different restriction levels simultaneously

The one Colorado exception: The Pike-San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron/Comanche National Grasslands (PSICC) explicitly require following county fire bans on USFS land, even when no forest-wide order is in place. This is the only USFS unit in Colorado with this policy. All other national forests are fully independent.

What this means for you: Always check the specific managing agency for the land you are visiting. A campfire that is banned in the county may be legal on nearby BLM land — or vice versa. Never assume one jurisdiction's rules apply to another.

Always Know Where You Are

This is the single most important thing to understand about fire restrictions: rules change everywhere, and they change often. The restrictions at your campsite today may not be the same as yesterday, and the rules on one side of a road may differ from the other if you are crossing a jurisdiction boundary.

Before heading out, know:

• What land you are on. County land, national forest, BLM, national park, state park, fire district — each has its own authority and its own rules.
• Who manages that land. The managing agency is the one whose restriction order applies to you, not the county you happen to be in.
• The current status of that specific jurisdiction. Check it the day you go. Check it again if conditions change. A ban can be issued or lifted at any time.

Do not assume that the status of one jurisdiction tells you anything about the one next to it. Two jurisdictions sharing a border can be at completely different restriction levels. The only way to know is to check the specific place you are going.

A note on boundaries: The jurisdiction boundaries shown on BurnBound's map are approximate. They are derived from publicly available GIS data and may not precisely reflect legal boundaries, especially in areas where jurisdictions overlap or where boundaries follow irregular terrain features. Do not rely on BurnBound to determine which jurisdiction you are in — if you are near a boundary, check with both jurisdictions.

Types of Fires

Fire restriction orders do not treat all fires the same. Understanding the distinctions matters, because a fire that is banned in one context may be allowed in another — even within the same jurisdiction at the same restriction level.

Open Burning

Burning of trash, yard waste, brush piles, or agricultural debris in the open. This is almost always the first thing prohibited — most jurisdictions restrict open burning even before issuing a formal Stage 1 fire ban, especially during dry or windy conditions. Open burn permits (where required) are typically suspended during any level of fire restriction.

Dispersed Camping Fires

Campfires built in a self-made fire ring on undeveloped public land (national forests, BLM land) outside of established campgrounds. These are among the first campfire activities restricted under Stage 1 bans. Because there is no permanent fire containment structure, dispersed fires carry higher risk and are treated more strictly than campground fires.

Established Campground Fires

Fires in permanent metal fire grates or fire rings provided by the managing agency at developed campgrounds. Under Stage 1 bans, many jurisdictions still allow fires in these designated structures — the permanent containment and maintained clearance make them lower risk. Under Stage 2 bans, even campground fire grates are typically prohibited.

Propane Fire Pits

Portable propane-fueled fire pits used for recreational warmth (not cooking). These have an on/off valve and produce a controlled flame without sparks or embers. Under Stage 1 bans, propane fire pits are usually still allowed. Under Stage 2 bans, most jurisdictions prohibit them — the fire is recreational, not essential. This is distinct from propane cooking stoves (see below).

Propane Cooking Stoves and Gas Grills

Enclosed camp stoves and gas grills with on/off valves, used for cooking. These are typically the last fire type to be restricted — they remain allowed through Stage 1 and most Stage 2 bans, and are only prohibited during Full Closures. The key distinction from propane fire pits is that cooking is considered essential while a recreational fire is not.

The takeaway: "propane fire pit" and "propane cooking stove" are not the same thing under most fire restriction orders. A Stage 2 ban that prohibits propane fire pits may still allow your camp stove. Always read the specific restriction language for your jurisdiction.

BurnBound's map includes a Wood/Propane toggle in the filter panel that shows you which areas prohibit propane fire pits specifically, based on each jurisdiction's researched rules.

Fire Bans vs. Area Closures

These are different types of restrictions:

• Fire ban (Stage 1 or 2): Restricts what you can do — specific activities involving fire are prohibited, but you can still enter and camp in the area.
• Area closure (Full Closure): Restricts where you can go — the area is closed to public entry entirely. No camping, no hiking, no access.

Separate from fire bans, individual areas within a jurisdiction may have localized closures — for example, a specific trailhead closed due to an active wildfire, or a campground closed for hazard tree removal. These are not jurisdiction-wide fire bans and are typically posted on the managing agency's alerts page.

Fire-Safe Tips for Visitors

• Check before you go. Use the BurnBound map as your starting point, then verify with the official source for your destination.
• Know the managing agency. Determine whether you are on county, USFS, BLM, NPS, or state park land — the rules may be different for each.
• Bring a propane stove as backup. Even during Stage 1 and most Stage 2 bans, enclosed propane cooking stoves are typically still allowed.
• Never leave a fire unattended. This applies even when there are no restrictions in effect.
• Drown, stir, feel. To fully extinguish a fire: drown it with water, stir the ashes, and feel with the back of your hand to confirm it is cold. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.
• Clear the area. Maintain a cleared area of at least 3 feet around any fire, free of flammable material.
• Check wind conditions. Even when fires are allowed, high winds make any open flame dangerous. Use common sense.
• Know your campground's rules. Developed campgrounds may have additional restrictions beyond the jurisdiction-wide ban level.