Sheriff

Wildfire Safety

Prevention

The Larimer County Sheriff's Office Emergency Services Unit and local fire departments/districts monitor potential wildfire conditions throughout the year.  The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners will impose fire restrictions when necessary based on the recommendations of the Sheriff's Office and/or any fire chief or fire agency within Larimer County.  If fire restrictions are in place in Larimer County, it will be noted at the top of this page.

Regardless of the current conditions, residents and visitors to Larimer County are encouraged to exercise caution with any potential source of ignition.

  • Campfires - only build campfires when and where authorized, do not leave them unattended, and put them out completely.  Use ample water and stir until the coals are cool to the touch.
  • Cigarette and cigar butts - dispose of lit smoking materials properly.
  • Heat transfer from exhaust systems - do not park a vehicle in areas with tall grass that could catch fire.
  • Grinding and welding - keep a shovel and fire extinguisher close and ready to use as these activities can start fires.
  • Lawn mowers - metal blades striking rocks can create sparks and start fires.

Wildfire Evacuations

After the last few years, we're pretty familiar with fire here in Northern Colorado. Wildfires may prompt evacuations, which can range from inconvenient to downright scary for folks in danger zones. We get a lot of questions about the types of evacuations, why they're activated, and what to do if you're in an evac zone...


⚠️ LCSO is responsible for wildfire-related evacuations in unincorporated Larimer County. Incident commanders make evac decisions based on multiple factors like fire behavior, wind and weather conditions, evacuation routes, structures at risk, and geography/terrain. We've worked with LETA to build pre-established polygons into the emergency alert system, making it easy to send notifications without delay. If one corner of the polygon is threatened, the entire area will be evacuated (which means if you're at the other corner, you may not see smoke or flames). 


🟠 Voluntary evacs are advised for residents who might need extra time or help leaving, those with health conditions aggravated by smoke, and people with livestock or other animals that need to be moved. It's also a good time for everyone to pack a go-bag, gather valuables or sentimental items you want to bring, and prepare your home. If you leave a voluntary zone, you can return as long as the status doesn't change. 


🔴 Mandatory means it's time to leave immediately. Grab your people, pets, medications, and get out. Roads are closed to incoming traffic, so you won't be allowed to return (in limited circumstances when conditions allow, residents have been permitted to go back for medicines or animals. That's not a guarantee, though, so don't make this part of your plan).


🏠 When an evacuation is ordered, an emergency alert is sent to all landlines in the area, plus devices that have been registered at nocoalert.org. In mandatory areas, teams of deputies also go door-to-door to notify residents and recommend that they leave. They flag where they've been, which helps them avoid missing any homes and prevents other teams from duplicating efforts. During the height of Alexander Mountain Fire evacs, we had upwards of 80 personnel on the ground making these urgent notifications. 


⏳ Minutes can make a difference in wildfires. We know it takes time for residents to drive out, so commanders consider this when ordering evacuations. Depending on the roadway, outgoing vehicles can slow down incoming first responders and fire apparatus. Following evac instructions will not only keep your family safe, it also prevents traffic jams and helps make firefighting efforts more efficient. 

Immediately call 911 and provide details such as how the fire started, the location, and approximate size fo the fire.

If you do not have adequate cell phone service to call 911, try texting to 911.  Remember - call if you can, text if you must.

If necessary, drive to a location with cell service.

Immediately call the LCSO non-emergency number (970)416-1985.

Provide emergency dispatchers with the best location of the source of the smoke, where you are, the color of the smoke, and any characteristics of the smoke you can describe.

Evacuation orders may be issued when a wildfire threatens structures and roadways in our community. If you're preparing to evacuate, consider taking these steps to help reduce risks to your home. If a mandatory evacuation order is in place, leave immediately without delay. 

Inside the House

  • Close all windows and doors. Ensure all windows and doors are securely closed to prevent embers from entering. Leave them unlocked to allow firefighters access if needed.
  • Remove flammable window treatments. Remove any flammable window treatments, such as shades, curtains, or drapes. Closed metal shutters, if available, provide an additional barrier against heat and embers.
  • Clear away light curtains. Remove lightweight curtains or drapes, especially those near windows and doors.
  • Reposition flammable items. Move flammable items (i.e., furniture, rugs, and decorations) to the center of the room, away from windows and doors.
  • Turn off the gas. To reduce the fire risk inside your home, shut off the gas supply at the meter and turn off all pilot lights.
  • Leave lights on. Turn on all interior and exterior lights to increase your home's visibility in smoky conditions for firefighters.
  • Switch off air conditioning. Turn it off to prevent it from drawing in smoke and embers.

Outside the House

  • Bring in flammable items. Collect all outdoor items, such as patio furniture, toys, doormats, and trash bins, and bring them inside. Alternatively, place them in a pool if available.
  • Shut off propane tanks. Turn off propane tanks and move grills and appliances away from the house.
  • Prepare water sources. Attach garden hoses to outside taps for firefighter use. Fill buckets with water and place them around the house's exterior for additional firefighting resources.
  • Do not use sprinklers. Avoid leaving sprinklers or water running, as this can decrease the water pressure firefighters need.
  • Illuminate your home. Keep all exterior lights on to make your home more visible in smoky or dark conditions.
  • Prepare your vehicle. Load your emergency kit into your car. Park the car in your driveway facing outwards, with all doors and windows shut, ready for a quick departure.
  • Seal vents. Cover attic and ground vents with plywood or commercial seals to prevent embers from entering the home.

Animals

  • Prepare pets. Keep pets close, leashed, or in carriers, ready to leave quickly.
  • Plan for farm animals. If you have animals, plan their evacuation early. Arrange for transport and secure safe locations in advance.

Monitoring and Communication

  • Stay informed. Monitor the fire situation through reliable sources such as local authorities, radio, or online updates. Leave immediately if you feel at risk; do not wait for an official evacuation order.
  • Check on neighbors. Communicate with your neighbors to ensure they are prepared and aware of the fire situation.

Any fireworks that leave the ground or explode are illegal in Colorado. Legal fireworks include the following:

  • fountains,
  • toy caps,
  • snake or glow worms,
  • ground spinners,
  • illuminating torches,
  • dipped sticks and sparklers,
  • toy propellants,
  • noise makers that crackle or whistle, but don't explode

It is unlawful to furnish fireworks to anyone under 16 years of age. Those under 16 are also prohibited by law from buying fireworks.

Colorado Revised Statute 24-33.5-2001

(11)  "Permissible fireworks" means the following small fireworks devices designed to produce audible or visual effects by combustion, complying with the requirements of the United States consumer product safety commission as set forth in 16 CFR 1500.1 to 1500.272 and 1507.1 to 1507.12, and classified as consumer fireworks UN0336 and UN0337 pursuant to 49 CFR 172.101:

(I)  Cylindrical fountains, total pyrotechnic composition not to exceed seventy-five grams each for a single tube or, when more than one tube is mounted on a common base, a total pyrotechnic composition of no more than two hundred grams;

(II)  Cone fountains, total pyrotechnic composition not to exceed fifty grams each for a single cone or, when more than one cone is mounted on a common base, a total pyrotechnic composition of no more than two hundred grams;

(III)  Wheels, total pyrotechnic composition not to exceed sixty grams for each driver unit or two hundred grams for each complete wheel;

(IV)  Ground spinner, a small device containing not more than twenty grams of pyrotechnic composition venting out of an orifice usually in the side of the tube, similar in operation to a wheel, but intended to be placed flat on the ground;

(V)  Illuminating torches and colored fire in any form, total pyrotechnic composition not to exceed two hundred grams each;

(VI)  Dipped sticks and sparklers, the total pyrotechnic composition of which does not exceed one hundred grams, of which the composition of any chlorate or perchlorate shall not exceed five grams;

(VII)  Any of the following that do not contain more than fifty milligrams of explosive composition:

(A)  Explosive auto alarms;

(B)  Toy propellant devices;

(C)  Cigarette loads;

(D)  Strike-on-box matches; or

(E)  Other trick noise makers;

(VIII)  Snake or glow worm pressed pellets of not more than two grams of pyrotechnic composition and packaged in retail packages of not more than twenty-five units;

(IX)  Fireworks that are used exclusively for testing or research by a licensed explosives laboratory;

(X)  Multiple tube devices with:

(A)  Each tube individually attached to a wood or plastic base;

(B)  The tubes separated from each other on the base by a distance of at least one-half of one inch;

(C)  The effect limited to a shower of sparks to a height of no more than fifteen feet above the ground;

(D)  Only one external fuse that causes all of the tubes to function in sequence; and

(E)  A total pyrotechnic composition of no more than five hundred grams.

(b)  "Permissible fireworks" do not include aerial devices or audible ground devices, including, but not limited to, firecrackers.

24-33.5-2002

(1)  Except as provided for in subsection (6) of this section, it shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly furnish to any person who is under sixteen years of age, by gift, sale, or any other means, any fireworks, including those defined as permissible fireworks in section 24-33.5-2001 (11).

(2)  Except as provided for in subsection (6) of this section, it shall be unlawful for any person who is under sixteen years of age to purchase any fireworks, including those defined as permissible fireworks in section 24-33.5-2001 (11).

(4)  IT IS ILLEGAL FOR ANY PERSON UNDER SIXTEEN YEARS OF AGE TO PURCHASE ANY FIREWORKS. VIOLATORS MAY BE PUNISHED BY A FINE OF UP TO $750.00, BY IMPRISONMENT FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS, OR BY BOTH SUCH FINE AND IMPRISONMENT. (5) Except as provided in this section and in section 24-33.5-2003, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess or discharge any fireworks, other than permissible fireworks, anywhere in this state. 

If the Larimer County Sheriff's Office has command of an active fire, the LCSO Public Information Office is the most accurate source of information.  Most updates will be posted to Twitter as the information becomes available.  LCSO also utilizes Facebook and Nextdoor to post less frequent, but more comprehensive reports about active fires.  LCSO may also issue press releases in hopes the local media will share the information with their readers.

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Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control