HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Restriction RequirementsCONTACT:
Walt Stowe
PIO/Community Relations Deputy
Garfield County Sheriffs Office
106 County Road 333-4
Rifle, CO 81650
Phone: 970-665-0207
Email : W5lgwe@gercoghgiff . csm
lfil 'r,nu us on Face Book!"
NEWS RELEASE
Sheriff Lou Vallario
Garfield County, Colorado
For lmmediate Release
Date: July 1 6,2025
Time: 12:00 PM
Title: STAGE 2 FIRE RESTRIGTIONS BEGIN THURSDAY JULY 17,2025
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.
STAGE 2 FIRE RESTRICTIONS BEGIN IN GARFIELD COUNTY THURSDAY JULY 17, 2025 at 12:01AM
Garfield County, CO, The Garfield County Sheriff's Office, BLM lands in Garfield County,
and the seven Fire Districts in Garfield County are implementing Stage 2Fire Restrictions
effective at 12:01 a.m. Thursday July 17,2025. This applies to all of Garfield County.
This decision was made with thoughtful consideration. We look at the data as well as
the potential for significant wildfires and balance it with the impacts to our
community. The current active wildfires in Colorado have already stretched our
available resources and effected our ability to respond as necessary.
Fire restrictions are implemented based on specific criteria to including moisture content
of vegetation, weather outlooks, human risk factors and firefighting resource availability.
WHAT STAGE 2 FIRE RESTRICTIONS MEAN IN GARFIELD COUNTY
A) Use of fireworks - Not permitted
B) Burn Permits (General) - No Burn Permits will be issued. All previously-issued burn permits are cancelled.
C) Recreational Fires- No Recreational Fires
D) Cooking Fires - Use caution and keep attended. Cooking devices must be clean (including gas cylinder) and in
proper working order.
a. Gas Grills - No permit required.
b. Charcoal and other Solid Fuel Grills & Cookers - No permit required in Developed Areas only.
c. ln Undeveloped Areas, a permit from the local fire department may be required.
E) Smoking - Open Smoking allowed in Developed Areas.
a. ln Undeveloped Areas, allowed only in an enclosed vehicle or building.
107 Eighth Street, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 970-945-0453 970-945-6430 (fax) www.garcosheriff.com
F) Welding and Spark-emitting cutting (Hot Work) - Developed area: Use extreme caution and take preventative
measures a5 necessary.
a. Undeveloped area: lndustrial use only. A permit from the local fire department may be
required. Must be in a cleared area at least L0 feet in diameter with a designated lookout.
Must have Class A tire extinguishing capabilities readily available.
G) Operating of internal combustion engine-powered equipment such as Chain Saws, hand-held tools, or
generators withoLrt a spark-arresting dcvicc is prohibitcd. lf dcscribcd cquripmcnt does have a spark arresting
device, you must have Class A fire extinguishing capabilities readily available, and round-point shovel (36" length
minimum) shall be readily available for use,
H) Other internal combustion engine-powered equipment, such as tractors and mowers: Operate with extreme
caution paying special attention in areas subject to extreme conditions that may be susceptible to ignition (dry
weeds and grasses, etc.).
l) Use of explosives, explosive targets and steel or tracer bullets - Not permitted
J) Use of firearms - Steel jacket/core bullets (Armor Piercing) and tracer bullets are expressly prohibited. lt is the
responsibility of each independent range to ensure safe fire conditions at all times the range is in use. This
includes: mitigating fuels that may potentially catch fire; monitoring downrange conditions/impacts; maintaining
the ability to access and rapidly extinguish fires; notifying the local fire department immediately in the event of a
fire of any size. Keeping a usable fire-extinguishing application method on hand is strongly recommended.
a. lt shooting at an unattended range - including those on public and private property - the responsibility
for ensuring safe fire conditions falls on the independent shooter.
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 landowner. This includes residential and business areas, improved
recreational areas, parks and other common areas.
"Undeveloped Areas" 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 parklands, 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.
The mission of the Garfield County Sheriff's Office is to provide solutionsfor the people through
prqfessional, ethical and compassionate conduct.
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107 Eighth Street, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 970-945-0453 970-945-6430 (fax) www.garcosheriff.com