Wildland Fire
Jefferson County Fire Restrictions
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is the official enforcing authority for fire restrictions and burn bans in unincorporated Jefferson County, Colorado.
Current Status · Unincorporated Jefferson County, Colorado
Stage 2 Fire Ban in Effect
As of August 4, 2026, a Stage 2 fire ban is in effect in unincorporated Jefferson County, Colorado, and the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning that takes effect Wednesday, August 5 at 12:00 PM MDT.
Updated August 4, 2026
Current Drought & Weather Conditions
Loading drought & weather map...
Source images (click to enlarge):
The U.S. Drought Monitor is jointly produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Map courtesy of NDMC.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Wildland Fire Management Team, in conjunction with other fire partners and neighboring counties, continuously monitors weather, soil, and vegetation conditions to assess overall fire risk. When conditions warrant, the county enacts Stage 1 or Stage 2 restrictions and lifts them as conditions improve. The current restriction status is shown at the top of this page.
Reminder: Jefferson County Parks and Open Space as well as Denver Mountain Parks lands are always in Stage 2 Fire Ban. Check with your local municipalities or fire department for fire restrictions in incorporated/municipal areas.
Stage 2 Fire Ban: What is Prohibited
A Stage 2 Fire Ban is in effect. The following activities are prohibited in unincorporated Jefferson County, including on private property:
Building, maintaining, attending or using any fire. No recreational fires, including recreational campfires.
Open burning, bonfires & trash/debris burns
Charcoal grills
Chimineas, wood-burning fire pits & portable outdoor fireplaces
Sky lanterns
Smoking (except in enclosed buildings/vehicles, recreation sites, or barren 6-foot clearings)
Tracer rounds or explosive-type targets
Explosive initiation systems requiring a burning fuse line
Chain saws without an approved spark arrester, extinguisher & shovel
Welding & cutting torches without a fire-authority permit and 30-foot barren clearance
Still Allowed — Devices That Can Be Turned Off
The rule of thumb is whether or not the fire can be "turned off," rather than "put out." Devices whose combustion source can be turned off by a switch or valve — including tiki torches and pellet grills and smokers — are allowed:
Gas fire pits, grills, lanterns & stoves
Camp stoves (liquid or gas fueled)
Tiki torches (combustion source can be turned off)
Pellet grills and smokers (combustion source can be turned off)
Professional fireworks displays — with permit only
See detailed Stage 2 legal provisions for full definitions and additional exemptions.
Fire Ban Impact: During declared fire restrictions (Stage 1 or Stage 2), the use of all fireworks — including normally permissible ones like sparklers and fountains — is entirely prohibited. Violations can be subject to a fine of up to $600 per violation.
How to Prepare
Help share the message with family, friends, and neighbors that any outdoor activity that could cause a spark or flame should not take place.
Be Ready
- Be alert and be prepared to take action. If you see smoke, call 911. Be prepared to evacuate should a fire ignite.
- Bring in or secure anything that could blow from your yard and could become a hazard (patio furniture, trash cans, decorations, etc.).
- Lock gates: use carabiners, padlocks, or strong latches on all gates to prevent them from blowing open.
- Bring pets indoors: the safest option is to bring pets inside. If pets must be kept outdoors, keep them under direct supervision, on a leash, or in a secure kennel. Ensure all pets wear collars with updated ID tags.
Defensible Space
Any time we get a run of hot, dry, or windy weather, wildfire risk goes right back up. On those days, you may see Red Flag Warnings and even temporary fire restrictions return. This is the perfect window to take action around your home:
- Clear out dry brush, broken limbs, and leaves.
- Create and maintain defensible space around your home.
- Sign up for Lookout Alert so you'll know right away if conditions change in your neighborhood.
Violations & Penalties
Pursuant to County Policy Part: 3, Chapter 6, Section 2, authorizing the Declaration of Open Fire Bans, violations of these prohibitions, upon conviction, is punishable by a fine of not more than $600.00. Such act(s) violate section(s) 102.8 and/or 308.2 of the International Fire Code.
Fire Potential Outlook
Monthly fire potential forecast for Jefferson County from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) Predictive Services. This is a federal forecast and does not determine local fire restrictions — restriction decisions are made independently by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office based on local conditions.
7-Day Fire Potential Forecast
Daily significant fire potential for the Northern Front Range from NIFC Predictive Services. This forecast does not determine local fire restrictions — see the current restriction status above.
Stage 2: Fire Ban
A Stage 2 fire ban supersedes Stage 1 restrictions with additional prohibitions including all fires, recreational campfires, bonfires, fireworks, chain saw requirements, and more.
View Stage 2 detailsRed Flag Warnings
When the National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning for Jefferson County, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are automatically implemented until 11:59 PM on the last day of the warning period.
View Red Flag detailsFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about fire restrictions in Jefferson County, Colorado.
Stage 1 fire restrictions prohibit fires and campfires (except recreational fires in permanent fire grates), smoking outdoors (with exceptions), open burning and bonfires, fireworks, and tracer/incendiary rounds. During Stage 1, charcoal grills, portable fireplaces, welding, and recreational fires are allowed 30+ feet from undeveloped areas. Stage 2 is a complete fire ban that supersedes Stage 1 with additional prohibitions including all recreational fires, chain saw requirements, and welding permit requirements. See the full comparison in the guide.
Red Flag Warnings are issued by the National Weather Service, not the Sheriff's Office. The current Red Flag Warning status for Jefferson County is shown at the top of this page and updates automatically from the National Weather Service. Whenever a Red Flag Warning is issued for all or part of Jefferson County, Stage 1 fire restrictions are automatically in effect for all of unincorporated Jefferson County until 11:59 p.m. on the last day the warning is in effect.
A Red Flag Warning means the National Weather Service has identified critical fire-weather conditions — typically strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels. When the National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning for all or part of Jefferson County, Stage 1 fire restrictions are automatically implemented for all of unincorporated Jefferson County. These restrictions remain in effect from the time the warning begins until 11:59 p.m. on the last day the Red Flag Warning is in effect.
No. A Fire Weather Watch is a National Weather Service advisory that critical fire-weather conditions are possible, typically within the next 24 to 48 hours, but are not yet occurring or imminent. A Fire Weather Watch by itself does not impose any fire restrictions in unincorporated Jefferson County. Only a Red Flag Warning automatically triggers Stage 1 fire restrictions. If conditions develop, the National Weather Service may upgrade a Fire Weather Watch to a Red Flag Warning, at which point Stage 1 fire restrictions would automatically take effect for all of unincorporated Jefferson County.
Yes. The rule of thumb is whether or not the fire can be "turned off," rather than "put out." Appliances whose combustion source can be turned off by a switch or valve — such as gas grills, gas fire pits, gas stoves, gas lanterns, camp stoves, tiki torches, and pellet grills and smokers — are permitted during both Stage 1 fire restrictions and Stage 2 fire ban.
Campfires are prohibited during both Stage 1 fire restrictions and Stage 2 fire ban. During Stage 1, a recreational fire within a permanently constructed fire grate in a developed park, campground, private residence, or picnic area is permitted. During Stage 1, recreational fires are also permitted not closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area.
Pursuant to County Policy Part: 3, Chapter 6, Section 2, violations of these prohibitions, upon conviction, is punishable by a fine of not more than $600.00. Such act(s) violate section(s) 102.8 and/or 308.2 of the International Fire Code.
Contact Information
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office · 200 Jefferson County Pkwy, Golden, CO 80401