October 22, 2024
UPDATE 11/6/24: GRAND COUNTY HAS LIFTED ALL FIRE RESTRICTIONS.
GRAND COUNTY, CO – The Grand County Board of County Commissioners voted to enact Stage One Fire Restrictions during a regular meeting on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, that will go into effect at 12 noon on October 22, 2024. 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, Sheriff Brett Schroetlin recommended, and Commissioners approved, the implementation of Stage One Fire Restrictions.
The Sulphur Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and the Medicine Bow - Routt National Forests are remaining in Stage One Fire Restrictions at this time.
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 www.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 (no fires in the forest).
- 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.
