Stage 2 fire restrictions will be implemented on Friday, June 26, 2026 in all of Summit County, as recommended by Summit County Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons based on the data analyzed each week and approved by the Summit County Board of County Commissioners.
We Need Your Help
You play a pivotal role in preventing wildfires, as more than 80% of wildfires are caused by humans. It’s important to be aware of and abide by current fire restrictions, as well as understanding wildfire prevention strategies related to camping, campfires, driving, outdoor equipment use, smoking, shooting firearms, and more.
Summit County Sheriff’s Office
Per State of Colorado law, the Summit County Sheriff is designated as Summit County’s Fire Warden, and the Sheriff’s Office works with the US Forest Service and fire districts to determine when fire restrictions are needed to protect the health and safety of the community. The Sheriff’s Office therefore acts as the lead on fire restriction messaging.
Fire professionals determine whether fire restrictions need to be enacted and have determined that current conditions warrant restrictions to protect the community from wildfires across all Summit County communities and public lands. Below some of the most common fire related behaviors are addressed and a quick summary of what is allowed and not are provided. More comprehensive guidance about allowed and prohibited fire behaviors may be found on the Summit County Sheriff’s Office website.
Not Allowed During Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
❌ Open Fires: Open Fires except those in compliance with Section III. For purposes of these Stage 2 Restrictions, Open Fires shall be defined as any outdoor fire, including but not limited to campfires, warming fires, bonfires, or the prescribed burning of fence rows, fields, wildlands, trash, and debris.
❌ Solid-Fuel Burning Fires (Wood or Charcoal): Igniting, building, and maintaining fires on private property that have been permitted by the applicable local fire district.
❌ Smoking: Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, designated outdoor areas where smoking is permitted, or while stopped in an area that is at least three feet in diameter and is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
❌ Fireworks: The use and/or sale of recreational fireworks.
❌ Explosives: The use of tracer ammunition, including recreational use of any projectile containing explosive material, incendiary material, or other chemical substance. The use of recreational explosives, including explosive targets.
❌ Disposal: Disposal of any burning object outdoors, including without limitation, any cigarette, cigar, or match.
❌ Chainsaws: Operation of a chainsaw is prohibited without a USDA or Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) approved spark arrester properly installed and in effective working order, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of 2A) kept with the operator, and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use.
❌ Commercial and Industrial Operations: Blasting, grinding, welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame.
❌ Developed Recreational Sites: Fires within a campground or picnic area (developed recreation site) defined as a fire contained in a permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the USDA Forest Service has installed and maintained.
❌ Undeveloped Recreational Sites: Fires within dispersed camping areas or other forested areas.
❌ Grills, Stoves, and Smokers: Use of charcoal and/or wood pellet grills, smokers and barbecues, coal and wood burning stoves, and sheepherder’s stoves.
❌ Hot Air Balloons: Inflation or propulsion of a hot air balloon.
❌ Agricultural and Large Pile Burns: Are prohibited even with the appropriate permits from the state department of environmental health.
❌ Slash Burns: Are prohibited even with the appropriate permit from the local fire protection district.
❌ Combustion Engines: 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.
❌ Off-Highway Vehicles: Possessing or using a motor vehicle off established roads, motorized trails
Allowed Activities During Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
✅ Liquid or Gas-fueled Devices: 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 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.
Do Your Part
- Please help us reduce wildfire risk by understanding and abiding by these restrictions.
- Call 911 in case of an emergency.
- Call 970-668-8600 for non-emergency dispatch when there is a matter of concern, but fire or police response does not need to be immediate.