Larimer County adopts fire restrictions

On recommendation by the Larimer County Sheriff, the Board of Larimer County Commissioners today voted 2-0 to adopt fire restrictions in unincorporated Larimer County since the danger of wildfire, forest and grass fires are great due to above-normal temperatures, lightning strikes, and windy, dry conditions.

As of 12:01 a.m., March 25, 2026, restrictions on open fires for the unincorporated portions of Larimer County go into effect. These restrictions stay in effect until 11:59 p.m., May 5, 2026. Also in effect are restrictions on the combustible devices, public firework displays and incendiary devices. This is NOT a fire ban.

This restriction is in effect for unincorporated Larimer County BELOW 9,000 feet. In order to address fire risk while still accounting for different climate areas, Larimer County has implemented a zoned approach to restrictions. The county is divided into three zones: below 6,000 feet, 6,000–9,000 feet, and above 9,000 feet. View a real-time, interactive map of the restriction area here: https://aegis.larimer.gov/

Restricted today:

• Uncontained Open Fires 
• Smoking in the open is not allowed, including on trails, parks and open spaces.

Allowed:

• Fireplaces or wood stoves located inside a residence.
• Gas-fueled fires, including grills and camping stoves.
• Camping and cooking fires in developed camping areas
• Fires in permanently constructed masonry fire pits.

Legal Definitions:

1. Combustible Devices shall mean any object which is flammable, explodes or is designed to or may cause fire. This includes sky lanterns, exploding ammunition, exploding targets, and tracer ammunition.

2. Open Fires shall include both contained open fires, uncontained open fires and gas or liquid-fueled fires.

a. “Contained Open Fires” shall mean open fire that is in a permanently constructed stationary masonry or metal fireplaces specifically designed for the purpose of combustion. Contained Open Fires shall not include fireplaces or wood stoves located inside a permanent structure, such as a residential dwelling or commercial business.

b. “Uncontained Open Fires” shall mean any fire (including but not limited to: campfire, fireplace, recreational fire, bonfire, firepit, etc…), coal, wood or pellet stove, fireplace, any type of charcoal, wood, or pellet fueled cooking, uncontained fire of any type in an undeveloped area including camp and cooking fires, welding, or operating acetylene or other torches with open flames.

c. “Gas or Liquid Fueled Fires” shall mean fires fueled by bottled gas or pressurized liquid, which shall include but is not limited to: portable heaters, cooking stoves, heating stoves, hiking/camping stoves, grills, firepits, fireplaces, etc.)

Any person who knowingly violates the restrictions can be fined. The Ordinance for the Regulation of Open Burning in Unincorporated Larimer County can be found by clicking here: https://www.larimer.gov/sites/default/files/ordinance_concerning_the_restriction_of_open_fires_-_2022_final_04262022.pdf