Fire restriction levels
Garfield County Sheriff’s Office: Fire restrictions are implemented based on specific criteria including moisture content of vegetation, weather outlooks, human risk factors, and firefighting resource availability.
The decision to move into restrictions is made with thoughtful consideration. Fire officials from local and federal lands agencies consider data, as well as the potential for significant wildfires, and balance it with the impacts to our community.
Concerns: when the level of fire risk and danger increases, one spark could quickly spread into a dangerous wildfire threatening lives, property and natural resources.
Factors include assessing when it has been hot, dry, and unseasonably windy. Additionally, if the National Weather Service is forecasting above average temperatures and dry conditions with no relief from rain anytime soon, restrictions are enacted.
With increasingly dry vegetation, severe drought conditions, and summer camping underway, the danger for human-caused wildfires increases even more.
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in Garfield County
• Fireworks are not allowed under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Professional fireworks shows may be allowed through the permitting process.• All burn permits are postponed/canceled until further notice.
• Campfires are only allowed within designated fire grates in “developed areas” (i.e. a permanent in-ground containment structure or store-bought fire pit); temporary fire pans or rock campfire rings will not be acceptable.
• No fires of any type, including charcoal in “undeveloped areas”.
• No smoking except within a designated area, enclosed vehicle or building, a developed area, or in an area free of combustibles.
• No use of fireworks or explosive materials, including “exploding” targets, or bullets and tracer rounds.
• Exercise common sense and industry safety practice when welding or operating an acetylene or other similar torch with an open flame, in an always cleared safe area of vegetation and combustibles.
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in Garfield County
A) Use of fireworks – not permitted.
B) Burn permits (general) – no burn permits will be issued. All previously-issued burn permits are cancelled.
C) Cooking fires – use caution and keep attended. Cooking devices must be clean (including gas cylinder) and in proper working order.
a. Gas grills – no permit required.
b. Charcoal and other solid fuel grills and cookers – no permit required in “developed areas” only.
c. In “undeveloped areas”, a permit from the local fire department may be required.
D) Smoking – open smoking allowed in “developed areas”.
a. In “undeveloped areas”, allowed only in an enclosed vehicle or building.
E) Welding and spark-emitting cutting (hot work):
a. “Developed area”: Use extreme caution and take preventative measures as necessary.
b. “Undeveloped area”: industrial use only. A permit from the local fire department may be required. Must be in a cleared area at least 10 feet in diameter with a designated lookout. Must have Class A fire extinguishing capabilities readily available.
F) Operating of internal combustion engine-powered equipment such as chain saws, hand-held tools, or generators without a spark-arresting device is prohibited. If the described equipment does have a spark-arresting device, you must have Class A fire extinguishing capabilities readily available, and a round-point shovel (36″ length minimum) shall be readily available for use.
G) Other internal combustion engine-powered equipment, such as tractors and mowers: operate with extreme caution, paying special attention in areas subject to extreme conditions that may be susceptible to ignition (dry weeds and grasses, etc.).
H) Use of explosives, explosive targets and steel or tracer bullets – not permitted
I) Use of firearms – steel jacket/core bullets (armor piercing) and tracer bullets are expressly prohibited. It is the responsibility of each independent range to ensure safe fire conditions at all times the range is in use. This includes: mitigating fuels that may potentially catch fire; monitoring down-range conditions/impacts; maintaining the ability to access and rapidly extinguish fires; and notifying the local fire department immediately in the event of a fire of any size. Keeping a usable fire-extinguishing application method on hand is strongly recommended.
a. If shooting at an unattended range – including those on public and private property – the responsibility for ensuring safe fire conditions falls on the independent shooter.
Upper Colorado River Fire and Aviation Management Unit fire restriction levels
Current fire restrictions in effect in Garfield County
Burn permit status in Garfield County