Date: September 4, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM
Title: STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS TO REPLACE STAGE II FIRE RESTRICTIONS
IN GARFIELD COUNTY
IMPORTANT: Please direct any media requests to the contact above. Do not contact the Garfield County
Emergency Communications Center or Patrol staff for media requests.
GARFIELD COUNTY, CO.
STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS RESUME SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 at 12:01 AM.
After careful consideration, Garfield County, CO, The Garfield County Sheriff, BLM, the
Forest Service and the seven Fire Districts in Garfield County will be moving from Stage II
Fire Restrictions to Stage I Fire Restrictions effective 12:01 AM MST on Friday
September 5, 2025. The fire danger is still high but less than it was for the past several
weeks when we were under Stage II restrictions.
Fire restrictions are implemented based on specific criteria to include moisture content of
vegetation, weather outlooks, human risk factors and firefighting resource availability
WHAT STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS MEAN IN GARFIELD COUNTY
• Fireworks are not allowed under Stage I Fire Restrictions. Professional fireworks shows may be
allowed through the permitting process.
• All burn permits are postponed/Canceled until further notice.
• Campfires are only allowed within designated fire grates in Developed Areas (i.e. a permanent in-ground
containment structure or store bought fire pit) A temporary fire pan and rock campfire rings will not be
acceptable.
• No fires of any type including charcoal in Undeveloped Areas.
• No smoking except within a designated area, enclosed vehicle or building, a developed area or in an area free of
combustibles.
• No use of fireworks or explosive materials, including “exploding” targets or bullets and tracer rounds.
• Exercise common sense and industry safety practice when welding or operation of an acetylene or other similar
torch with open flame always cleared safe area of vegetation and combustibles.
107 Eighth Street, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 970-945-0453 970-945-6430 (fax) www.garcosheriff.com
Penalties
Causing a fire during fire restrictions can be a class 6 felony and can be punishable by
fines. Other possible charges range from a Class 2 Felony to a petty offense depending on
the value of the damage caused. You may be held financially responsible for damage
caused.
Federal Lands
The use of fireworks, flares, or other incendiary devices, including exploding targets, are
always prohibited on Federal lands.
By Definition:
A "Developed Area" is an area, whether within city limits or rural, that is groomed, manicured and or watered, where
grasses,
brush and trees are regularly attended to by land owner. This includes residential and business areas, improved
recreational
areas, parks and other common areas.
An "Undeveloped Area" are lands that are not groomed, manicured, or watered, where grasses, brush and trees
have been allowed to grow in a natural environment. This includes green belts that are not landscaped or manicured,
open space lands, non-manicured park lands, and other areas where the fire hazard presented by the vegetation is
determined by the authority having jurisdiction or designee to be an undue wildland fire hazard.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available.