October 16, 2024
GRAND COUNTY, CO – The Grand County Board of County Commissioners voted to enact Stage Two Fire Restrictions during a regular meeting on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, that will go into effect Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 12:01 a.m. The Grand County Sheriff’s Office consistently monitors 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. Upon reviewing the latest scientific data, along with the near historic low live and dead fuel moisture levels and ongoing sunny, dry conditions, Sheriff Brett Schroetlin recommended, and Commissioners approved, the implementation of Stage Two fire restrictions on open fires, firework use and sales and on the use of incendiary devices for Grand County.
Under Grand County Stage Two Restrictions, all fires are prohibited on public and private lands, as well as at campgrounds in unincorporated Grand County. 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 Two Fire Restrictions:
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using an open fire (including charcoal grills), either in a campground or at a private residence. No outdoor fires unless it is gas and can be turned off (propane fire pits are permitted).
- The possession, use and sale of permissible fireworks. Only permitted, professional fireworks displays are allowed. It is the decision of the local jurisdiction to host a fireworks display.
- Welding equipment or operating acetylene torches or other torches with an open flame.
- The use of incendiary devices such as explosives, exploding or tracer ammunition, exploding targets, or rockets.
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building. Dispose of smoking materials in places where they cannot be a source of ignition. Never throw them from car windows.
- Operating a chainsaw without an USDA or SAE approved spark-arresting device properly installed and in working order.
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 Two Fire Restrictions:
- Permissible fireworks according to state statute. The permitted, professional fireworks displays in Grand County are allowed.
- Liquid or gas-fueled appliances: heating devices, stoves, grills, lanterns, fire pits, fireplaces or fire tables that include shut-off valves are permitted when used in an area at least three or more feet from flammable materials such as grasses or pine needles.
- Fires contained inside permanent structures: Any fire contained within a fireplace, stove, wood burning stove, or pellet stove designed for and located within a fully enclosed permanent structure.
Other Resources:
Help us prevent more wildfires and become a steward of our lands by checking the official source.
Grand County Wildfire Council
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
Medicine Bow - Routt National Forests
Bureau of Land Management Northwest District
