On Friday, August 8, 2025, Stage 2 fire restrictions will go into effect on all land in Summit County, including every town and the White River National Forest. This step is being taken because of the considerable risk of starting a wildfire if there are any outdoor fires on public or private property at this point.
“We are currently seeing fire danger conditions similar to August 2020, when western Colorado and the White River National Forest saw record-breaking fires,” said White River National Forest Supervisor Brian Glaspell.
“We are urging everyone to be extremely vigilant,” said BLM Upper Colorado River District Manager Greg Larson. “Dragging trailer chains, parking in dry grass, even setting hot equipment down in dry vegetation can start fires right now.”
Summit County, White River National Forest, and all the Towns in Summit County entered Stage 1 fire restrictions on June 27, 2025, and since that time, the fire danger in Summit County has been rising due to dry weather and the subsequent low moisture content in natural live fuels.
Prohibited Fire Activities
- All outdoor open fires, such as campfires in designated or dispersed camping areas, warming fires, bonfires, or the prescribed and/or agricultural burning of fence rows, slash piles, fields, wildlands, trash and debris, are prohibited.
- All wood and/or charcoal fires are prohibited, even if in a device approved by a local fire agency, such as a covered fire pit or charcoal grill. This means that all backyard fires in fire pits and similar devices fueled by wood or charcoal are prohibited.
- Smoking is prohibited outdoors, along with the disposal of burning objects outdoors, such as but not limited to any cigarette, cigar, or match. Smoking is only allowed in an enclosed vehicle or building.
- The use and/or sale of fireworks are prohibited.
- The use of tracer ammunition, including recreational use of any projectile containing explosive material, incendiary material, or other chemical substance is prohibited. A closure of the Summit County shooting range will go into effect on Friday, August 8, 2025 as well. To clarify- shooting in general is not prohibited under Stage 2 fire restrictions, but gun owners are asked to be aware of their surroundings and use sound judgement before ever discharging a firearm.
- The operation of a chainsaw is prohibited, unless the chainsaw has a USDA or Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) approved spark arrester properly installed and in working order. Also, the chainsaw operator must have a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of 2A) and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use at all times.
- Blasting, grinding, welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame outdoors is prohibited.
- The use of charcoal and/or wood pellet grills, smokers and barbecues, coal and wood burning stoves and sheepherder’s stoves are prohibited. To clarify- pellet grills/smokers with electric ignitors, such as Traeger Grills, are also prohibited under Stage 2 fire restrictions.
- Hot air balloons are prohibited.
- Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without an effective and properly installed USDA or Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) approved spark arrestor is prohibited.
- Off-highway vehicles may only be used on established roads, motorized trails, or established parking areas. They may only park in an area devoid of vegetation within at least 10 feet of the vehicle. They may not be used off of established roads, trails, or parking areas.
Permitted Activities: The following activities and uses are allowed under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
- Liquid or gas-fueled devices such as heating devices, such as mushroom heaters; 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, such as any fire contained within a fireplace, stove, wood burning stove, or pellet stove designed for and located within a fully enclosed permanent structure, are permitted.
- Smoking is only allowed in an enclosed vehicle or building.