Current Fire Restrictions

Fire Restriction Information

Beginning Friday, August 15th, all of unincorporated Gunnison County is in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. 

Under STAGE 2 restrictions, the following are PROHIBITED:

• All personal uses of fireworks
• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. This includes charcoal grills and barbecues, coal and wood burning stoves and sheepherder’s stoves and includes use in developed camping and picnic grounds. (Note:  Use of charcoal grills, hibachis and coal or wood-burning stoves is always prohibited on federal land.)
• Smoking (cigarettes, cigars, etc.), except within an enclosed vehicle, building or trailer. 
• Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame. 
• Possessing or using either standard or off-road motor vehicles off established roads, motorized trails or established parking areas, except when parking in an area devoid or vegetation within 10 feet of the vehicle.
• Explosive targets.  This includes, but is not limited to, fuses or blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, and tracers or incendiary devices.
• Agricultural burns.
• Operating a chainsaw unless it utilizes an approved spark-arresting device (as described in the “Combustion Engines” section), a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (8 oz. capacity by weight or larger and kept with the operator) and a round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily
• Operating or using any internal combustion engine(e.g. chainsaw, generator, ATV), unless it utilizes a spark-arresting device that is properly installed, maintained and in effective working order meeting either: 
  1. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100-1a; or 
  2. Appropriate Society of automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practice J335(b) and J350(a) available for use.

Under STAGE 1 restrictions, the following are PROHIBITED:

• Campfires outside of permanently constructed fire rings 
• All personal fireworks use 
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area of at least three feet of barren or cleared of all combustible material 
• Explosive targets 
• Welding or operating acetylene torches with open flame, except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter and when the operator is in possession of a chemical-pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A 
• Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark-arresting device that is in effective working order and has been properly installed and maintained 
• Agricultural burning 

Under STAGE 1 restrictions, the following are ALLOWED:

• Permanent/Established Fire Devices - fire within permanently constructed fire devices on private property or in developed recreational sites such as campgrounds or picnic areas Flame length cannot exceed two feet in height
• Temporary/Portable Fire Devices: fires in portable chimney's, fire pits, and tiki torches are permitted only on private property
• Stoves, lanterns, cooking, and heating devices: Fires may be fueled by liquid, jellied petroleum or gas, and they must be contained within the devices
• Chainsaws: Chainsaws are allowed only if the device includes a USDA forest service or SAE approved spark arrester, and where the operator is in possession of a chemical-pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2a

CLICK HERE FOR A POSTER OF STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTION INFORMATION

Helpful Links:

• GMUG fire restrictions:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/gmug (click on the alert)
• BLM fire restrictions: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/colorado/southwest-district
• White River National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver (click on the alert)
• West Slope Fire Information: https://westslopefireinfo.com/