Larimer County extends fire restrictions

On recommendation by the Larimer County Sheriff, the Board of Larimer County Commissioners voted 
3 - 0 on Tuesday to extend fire restrictions in unincorporated Larimer County. Despite periodic precipitation, the danger of wildfire remains high due to above-normal temperatures, extended drought, and persistently windy, dry conditions.

Stage 1 restrictions were initially adopted in May 2026 for the unincorporated portions of Larimer County. These were upgraded to Stage 2 restrictions through the summer based on extreme fire risk. The current extension reduces restrictions to Stage 1, allowing for certain activities that were previously banned (see list below).

The following restrictions will stay in effect until 11:59 p.m., Nov. 3, 2026.  

 

Banned today:

  • Uncontained Open Fires, such a ring of rock fires.
  • Combustible devices, including exploding ammunition, exploding targets, and tracer ammunition
  • Operating or using any device with an internal or external combustion engine without a spark arrest device properly installed and in effective order

Allowed:

  • Contained Open Fires. This includes open fire in a permanently constructed, stationary masonry or metal fireplaces specifically designed for the purpose of combustion
  • Charcoal and pellet fueled grills and smokers
  • Woodburning fires in a device specifically designated to contain fire
  • Gas or liquid fueled fires, including grills and camping stoves
  • Smoking outdoors in a 3’ cleared space
  • Welding in a 10’ cleared space with a functional extinguisher present
  • Fireplaces or wood stoves located inside a residence
  • Open burning (official forest management purposes)
  • Execution of authorized burn permits
  • “Permissible fireworks” which do not leave the ground, as defined in Colorado State Statute (C.R.S. 24-33.5-2001(11))

 

Any person who knowingly violates these regulations can be fined. The full resolution is attached and includes additional definitions and clarifying information.  

090826-fire-restrictions-resolution.pdf (1.07 MB)

 

This restriction is in effect for all climate zones in unincorporated Larimer County.

In order to address fire risk while still accounting for different climate areas, Larimer County has implemented a zoned approach. 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 area here: https://aegis.larimer.gov/

Published on
Department
BOCC