Fire Safety: What You Need to Know About Restrictions in Mesa County

They say ignorance is bliss, so take the opportunity to learn about fire safety and restrictions because you don't want to be the ignorant person who causes a wildfire in Colorado.

A wildfire in Colorado can wreak massive havoc and cause destruction for miles. You should always be aware of the fire restrictions in your county and err on the side of caution.

National Forest Fire Restrictions

Visiting a national forest for hiking, camping, and other recreational activities is one of the best parts of exploring Colorado.

In order to protect our national forests, you should always check for any fire restrictions. Remember, you should NEVER leave a campfire unattended at any Colorado National Forest and fireworks are ALWAYS prohibited on National Forest lands.

Please be aware that you need to know the restrictions of both the National Forest and the County because they can be different. However, if either one has issued fire restrictions you must adhere to ALL applicable restrictions.

To find up-to-date fire information for the Grand Mesa, Gunnison, and Uncompahgre National Forest, follow this link.

What Are Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in Mesa County?

In Mesa County, stage 1 fire restrictions prohibit:

• the personal use of any kind of firework
• any fire or campfire that is not a permanently constructed fire grate in a developed park, campground, private residence, or picnic area
• target shooting with explosive targets
• welding or operating acetylene or another torch with an open flame
• smoking, except if you're in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or stopped in an area of at least 6 feet diameter that is barren or cleared of all combustible material

Stage 1 Mesa County fire allowances:

• fires in permanent fire pits, fire rings at private residences, or within developed recreational sites such as a campground or picnic area
• fire features such as chimineas and tiki torches, so long as they are supervised by a responsible adult
• fires contained within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices
• agricultural burns with Sherriff's office issued permit only

What Are Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in Mesa County?

In Mesa County, stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit:

• the use of anything that produces an open flame that is not liquid-fueled or gas-fueled
• building, maintaining or using a fire, campfire, charcoal grill, coal, wood-burning stove, sheepherder's stove, tiki torch, fire pits, and chimineas including in developed picnic, camping areas, and at private residences
• the use of any fireworks
• smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building
• any unpermitted use of fire to burn debris or vegetation
• shooting tracer rounds or explosive type targets or the use of explosives including fuses, blasting caps, and rockets
• welding or operating acetylene or another torch with an open flame

Stage 1 Mesa County fire allowances:

• devices that are liquid-fueled or gas-fueled are permitted
• gas fire pits are allowed under a fire ban due to the fact that they can be "turned off" versus "put out"
• agricultural burns with Sherriff's office issued permit only

How Can I Check the Fire Restrictions in Mesa County?

You can check the current fire restrictions in Mesa County at any time by checking the Mesa County fire restrictions map.