August 21, 2024
GRAND COUNTY, CO – On August 6, 2024, Grand County entered Stage Two Fire Restrictions in cooperation with the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests at a time when four wildfires were burning on the Front Range and weather conditions existed for potentially rapid-fire spread. Since then, moisture has come into our region lessening fire danger and front range fire activity has decreased making more fire-fighting resources available in our region. On August 20, 2024, in cooperation with our federal partners, and upon reviewing these new conditions, Sheriff Brett Schroetlin recommended, and the Grand County Board of County Commissioners approved, the implementation of Stage One Fire Restrictions.
Today, during the regular meeting, the Grand County Board of County Commissioners approved reducing Fire Restrictions and enacting Stage One Fire Restrictions that will go into effect Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at 12:01 a.m.
The Grand County Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with our local Fire Districts, and Federal Partners, consistently monitor fire conditions and the necessity of fire restrictions on a regular basis. The decisions surrounding fire restrictions are based on a scientific fire restriction matrix that is used across northwest Colorado.
The Commissioners’ decision is a collaborative effort between the Sheriff, local Fire Districts, the Bureau of Land Management’s Kremmling Field Office, the Sulphur Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. Under Grand County Stage One Restrictions, open fires are prohibited outside of a developed recreation site which means that dispersed campfires in forested areas are not permitted. Each municipality (town) within Grand County has the ability to implement fire restrictions as determined by their local government.
The Grand County Fire Restrictions Phone Line (recorded) is 970-725-3852. View current fire restrictions at GCEmergency.com. Our goal is to seek voluntary compliance with fire restrictions as we all do our part to prevent wildfires. If you need to report a fire restriction violation, please contact the Grand County Communications Center at 970-725-3311. For your safety, please do not personally address these issues and allow our Deputies to handle this.
The following activities and uses are prohibited under Stage One Fire Restrictions:
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using an open fire outside of a developed recreation site.
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed campground or picnic area or while stopped in an area of at least six feet in diameter that is barren of all combustible materials.
- Operating a chainsaw without an USDA or SAE approved spark-arresting device properly installed and in working order.
- Welding or operating torches with open flame, except in an area of at least ten feet in diameter that is barren of all combustible materials.
- Incendiary devices (excluding permissible fireworks).
A violation of Grand County Fire Restrictions is punishable by a $1,000.00 fine for each separate offense.
The following activities and uses are allowed under Stage One Fire Restrictions:
- Open fires in developed campgrounds with fees and hosts or picnic areas with permanently constructed fire grates and/or charcoal grills.
- Fires contained within liquid or gas fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices, and approved wood pellet grills and stoves.
- Open fires at private residences within permanent or portable outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, chimineas, and/or grills.
- Permissible fireworks according to state statute. The permitted, professional fireworks displays in Grand County are allowed.
