Wildland Fire
Fire Restrictions & Burn Ban Guide
This page contains detailed reference information about fire restriction stages, Red Flag Warnings, legal definitions, and wildfire resources. For current status and live fire outlook data, see the fire restrictions status page.
How Fire Restriction Decisions Are Made
Despite periodic winter weather and storm events that have brought some snow or moisture to the region, the county overall remains at elevated wildfire risk. Recent high wind events and National Weather Service Red Flag Warning days further underscore this risk.
The county monitors weather and fire risk conditions daily and coordinates with county fire partners and neighboring counties when considering restrictions on unincorporated lands.
Decisions to enter or exit fire restrictions are made carefully. They are based on multiple monitored metrics and are supported by science and experience. The county also considers countywide conditions because weather and fire risk are not uniform across the area.
Why restrictions are continuing
- Winter storm impacts have been uneven across the county, and overall moisture from these storms has not been significant.
- The county has experienced unseasonable and record temperatures, extremely low moisture, frequent high wind events, and continued fire activity despite the winter season.
- An extreme water deficit has left soils and vegetation very dry, increasing wildfire risk.
- The National Weather Service has predicted a return to a warming and drying trend for the foreseeable future.
- On January 5, National Predictive Services released an updated extended outlook and upgraded the entire Front Range of Colorado into the above normal fire potential category.
Because these factors continue to elevate wildfire risk, the county will remain in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions until conditions shift into a regular winter pattern with normal temperatures and regular storms that help offset soil moisture deficits. When conditions moderate and a more typical winter pattern returns, the county will reevaluate the monitored metrics to inform future fire restriction decisions.
Stage 1 Fire Restriction Details
Pursuant to the Annual Operating Plan regarding the implementation of Fire Restrictions and Fire Bans; and due to the continuing high fire danger conditions within Jefferson County, the following activities are prohibited pursuant to Stage 1 fire restrictions:
Prohibited Activities
Fires & Campfires
Building, maintaining, attending or using any fire or recreational campfire, except a recreational fire within a permanently constructed fire grate in a developed park, campground, private residence, or picnic area.
Smoking
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area of at least six feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all combustible material. (2015 IFC 310.8)
Open Burning & Bonfires
Open Burning including "bon fires" that require a permit from the fire authority having jurisdiction, will not be allowed during these restrictions. (2015 IFC 105.6.32)
The USE of fireworks, as defined below, are prohibited within Jefferson County.
Tracer/Incendiary Rounds
Shooting tracer/incendiary rounds or explosive type targets.
NOTE: Individuals building exempted, private residential recreational campfires, as described above, are encouraged to contact their local fire agency and advise start and finish times to alleviate smoke check responses.
NOTE: Burn permits issued and not executed prior to the effective date of these Temporary Fire Restrictions shall not be authorized unless approved by the issuing agency on the day of execution.
Exemptions approved under these temporary fire restrictions:
- Use of liquid or gas fueled appliances
- Approved wood pellet grills
- Charcoal barbeque grills not closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area (2015 IFC 308.1.6)
- Portable outdoor fireplaces not closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area (2015 IFC 307.4.3)
- Welding and cutting torch appliances, as described above in the definition section, may only be operated in an area no closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area (2015 IFC 308.1.6)
- Recreational fires not closer than 30 feet from an undeveloped area (2015 IFC 307.4.2)
- Permitted fires by persons with a permit specifically authorizing the prohibited act such as professional fireworks displays. Contact must be made with the permitting authority to verify the status of permits issued prior to the establishment of burn restrictions.
- Fire Department/District training fires
- Burning of explosive wastes by manufacturer of explosives in areas zoned for industrial use, when the burning is supervised by the fire protection district
- Open fires or open burning by any federal, state, or local officer in the performance of official fire suppression functions
Individuals operating under any of the above exemptions shall take adequate measures to prevent uncontrolled fires. Possible measures include, but are not limited to:
- Containers of adequate water or dry soil nearby.
- Shovels, fire extinguishers, or other extinguishing agents nearby.
- Coordination with the local fire department or district to be on scene or standby during an activity.
Stage 2: Fire Ban
During a Stage 2 fire ban, the following activities are prohibited in unincorporated Jefferson County in addition to Stage 1 restrictions.
Prohibited
Fires — building, maintaining, attending, or using any fire
The building, maintaining, attending, or using any fire is prohibited during a Stage 2 fire ban. Recreational fires and/or campfires are prohibited.
Bonfires
Open burning is prohibited, including "bonfires" that requires a permit from the fire authority having jurisdiction. (2015 IFC 105.6.32) A bonfire is NOT authorized during a Stage 2 fire ban.
Chain saws — must have USDA/SAE approved spark arresters, extinguisher, and shovel
Chain saws shall only be operated with a USDA or SAE approved spark arresting device properly installed and in proper working order, and having an extinguishing source, water, pressurized water extinguisher or a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of not less than eight ounces capacity by weight, and possessing one large size pointed shovel with an overall length of at least thirty-six inches. All must be readily available for quick use.
Charcoal grills
Charcoal grills use either charcoal briquettes or all-natural lump charcoal as their fuel source. The charcoal, when burned, will transform into embers radiating the heat necessary to cook food. A charcoal grill is NOT authorized during a fire ban, including in private residences, as it produces an open flame which is not liquid or gas fueled.
Chiminea or portable outdoor fireplaces
A chiminea is a freestanding front-loading fireplace or oven with a bulbous body and usually a vertical smoke vent or chimney. Fires start very quickly in chimineas after ignition with papers and small pieces of wood. When in full burn after just 15 minutes, they give off tremendous heat due to their design which allows much more air to be drawn in than, for example, a fire basket. A chiminea or a portable outdoor fireplace is NOT authorized during a fire ban, including in private residences, as it produces an open flame that is not liquid or gas-fueled.
Fire pits — wood or combustible burning
A fire pit is a construction or device used to contain recreational fires and prevent them from spreading and turning into wildfires. A fire ring has no bottom and is made of forged metal, stones, concrete, etc. which surround and contain a fire. Wood or combustible burning fire pits or rings are NOT authorized during a fire ban, including in private residences, as it produces an open flame that is not liquid or gas-fueled.
The USE of ALL fireworks is prohibited in a fire ban. This includes "permissible fireworks" such as, but not limited to small fireworks devices designed to produce audible or visual effects by combustion, fountains, cones, spinners, sparklers, poppers, snake or glow worm pellets and other trick noisemakers.
Shooting — tracer rounds and explosive-type targets
Shooting tracer rounds or explosive type targets are prohibited. The use of an explosive initiation system requiring a burning fuse line is prohibited.
Sky lanterns
A sky lantern is uninhabited free floating device which includes a flame or other heating device to heat air as a lifting mechanism. Most authorities require a permit prior to launching. Sky lanterns are NOT authorized during a fire ban, including in private residences, as it produces an open flame which is not liquid or gas fueled.
Smoking — except in enclosed vehicle/building or barren 6-foot area
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or while stopped in an area of at least six feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all combustible material.
Tiki torches
A bamboo torch that burns oil or gas common in Tiki culture which is also a popular party decoration. A Tiki torch is NOT authorized during a fire ban, including in private residences.
Trash burns
Using any fire to burn trash, debris, fence rows or vegetation, or any campfire are NOT authorized during a fire ban, including in private residences, as it produces an open flame which is not liquid or gas fueled.
Welding & torches — permit required, 30-foot barren clearance
There are restrictions in a fire ban regarding operating an acetylene or other torch, welding, or the use of an explosive initiation system. Welding and cutting torch appliances, as described below in the definition section, shall only be operated within an area that is barren or cleared of all combustible materials at least 30 feet in all directions from the operating equipment. (2015 IFC 308.1.6). This operation may only be done during a declared "Fire Ban" upon receiving a permit from the Fire Authority having jurisdiction over the operating location. (2015 IFC 105.6.31).
Items Allowed Under a Fire Ban
Only devices that are liquid-fueled or gas-fueled are allowed. Simply put, gas grills, gas fire pits, gas stoves, and gas lanterns are allowed. The rule of thumb is whether or not the fire can be "turned off," rather than "put out." (This does NOT include any device that burns solid fuels such as wood or charcoal and which must be extinguished.)
- Gas fire pits
- Gas grills
- Gas lanterns
- Gas stoves
- Wood pellet grills/smokers (enclosed, with on/off switch)
- Professional fireworks displays (with permit)
- Fire department/district training fires
- Burning of explosive wastes by manufacturers in industrial zones (supervised by fire district)
- Official fire suppression by federal, state, or local officers
Individuals operating under any of the above exemptions shall take adequate measures to prevent uncontrolled fires. Possible measures include, but are not limited to:
- Containers of adequate water or dry soil nearby.
- Shovels, fire extinguishers, or other extinguishing agents nearby.
- Coordination with the local fire department or district to be on scene or standby during an activity.
Jefferson County deputies will strictly enforce the temporary fire ban and temporary fire restrictions in the unincorporated areas, to include federal lands.
Red Flag Fire Weather Restrictions
Red Flag Warning events are defined by critical weather and fire danger conditions that could lead to extensive wildfire occurrences and/or control problems on existing wildfires or prescribed burns.
When Is a Red Flag Warning Issued?
A Red Flag Warning is issued by the National Weather Service when there is high confidence that Red Flag criteria will be met within the next 24 to 48 hours or when those criteria are already being met or exceeded. A warning may be issued for all, or portions of, a fire weather zone or region.
Are Fire Restrictions Applied During a Red Flag Warning?
Yes. There is now automatic implementation of Stage 1 Fire Restrictions for all of unincorporated Jefferson County whenever the National Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning for all or part of Jefferson County.
How Long Will Red Flag Fire Weather Restrictions Last?
The Red Flag Fire Weather Restrictions will be in effect from the time the Red Flag Warning is in effect until the end of the day the Red Flag Warning is in effect, at 11:59pm.
If a Red Flag Warning is in effect for longer than a day, the fire restrictions will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the Red Flag Warning period.
Fire Restriction Evaluation Guidelines
When weather factors or fire suppression impacts become a concern, the following criteria will be used to determine if a Fire Restriction should be considered by area. Use weather data from weather stations in each Fire Restriction Area to make determination. When more than one station must be evaluated in an area, average the output to arrive at the following criteria.
- 1,000-hour fuel moisture content is 12% or less
- 3-day mean energy release component (ERC) is at the 90th percentile or above
- Fire danger rating adjective class is at very high or extreme
- Fires are impacting available suppression resources making adequate initial attack difficult
- The area is receiving a high occurrence of human-caused fires, or the human-caused risk is predicted to increase
- Adverse fire weather conditions and risks are predicted to continue
- Local fire preparedness level of 3 or above
STAGE 1: If at least three (3) of the conditions above are met, consider initiating a stage one restriction.
STAGE II: Consider initiating a stage two restriction after a stage one restriction has been in effect and four (4) or more of the conditions above are impacted.
Additional Considerations
(Examples shown for Bailey and Lookout weather stations)
| Metric | Threshold | Bailey | Lookout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spread Component (SC) | > 22 | 20 | 10 |
| Ignition Component (IC) | ≈ 65% | 72 | 23 |
| Burn Index (BI) | ≈ 80 | 83 | 50 |
| Energy Release Component (ERC) | > 70 | 67 | 50 |
What Criteria Determines a Red Flag Warning?
Red Flag Warning Criteria — A combination of weather and fuels conditions (as determined by fire management) for any 3 hours or more in a 12 hour period. These criteria for the forecast area of the Denver/Boulder NWS office are defined as the following:
- Frequent gusts of 25 mph or greater — AND relative humidity of 15% or less
- Dry thunderstorms (15% coverage or more, constituting an LAL 6.)
Other Factors:
In addition to the basic criteria above, a combination of other elements may result in Red Flag conditions:
- Haines Index of 5 or 6, indicating a moderate or high potential for large, plume-dominated fire growth.
- Wind shifts associated with frontal passages.
- First significant lightning event (wet or dry) after an extended hot and dry period.
- Poor relative humidity recovery overnight (RH remains at 40% or lower.)
- In the forecaster's judgment, any combination of weather and fuel moisture conditions would cause extensive wildfire occurrences.
Additional Definitions
- Colorado Title 30, Government County § 30-10-512
- Pursuant to the Sheriff's statutory authority as the fire warden, policy C.R.S. § 30-10-512 serves as the support documentation to the standing order which established the automatic implementation of Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.
- Red Flag Watch
- High potential for the development of Red Flag criteria in the next 12-72 hours. A watch may be issued for all or portions of a fire weather zone or region.
- NWS Jefferson County Fire Weather Zones
- All areas of the County above 6,000 feet in elevation are in Fire Weather Zone 216. All areas of the County below 6,000 feet are in Fire Weather Zone 239.
Key Definitions
Terms used in Jefferson County fire restriction orders.
- Recreational Fire
- An outdoor fire burning material other than rubbish or debris where the fuel being burned is not contained in a portable outdoor fireplace or barbeque grill and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth, or similar purposes. This includes fires in barrels and drums; fixed, permanent outdoor fireplaces; and barbeque pit fires.
- Fireworks
- As defined in section 24-33.5-2001(5) C.R.S, and shall specifically include "permissible fireworks" as defined in section 24-33.5-2001(11) C.R.S. See Jefferson County fireworks laws for more information.
- International Fire Code (IFC)
- Latest adopted Fire Code within Jefferson County. Currently the 2015 edition.
- Liquid or Gas Fueled Appliances
- Appliances such as fire pits, grills, camp stoves, and Tiki torches that burn liquid or gaseous fuels and can be shut off. This does not include any device that burns solid fuels such as wood or charcoal and which must be extinguished.
- Open Fire and Open Burning
- Any outdoor fire larger than a recreational fire and not contained within a portable outdoor fireplace. This includes but is not limited to campfires, bonfires, warming fires, the lighting of any fused explosives, permissible fireworks, the use of model rockets, "sky lanterns", and the burning of fence lines or rows, grasslands, fields, farmlands, ditches, rangelands, and wildlands. Permits from the fire district are required for open fires.
- Undeveloped Areas
- 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 to be an undue wildland fire hazard.
- Portable Outdoor Fireplace
- A commercially purchased portable, outdoor, solid-fuel-burning fireplace that may be constructed of steel, concrete, clay, or other non-combustible material. A portable outdoor fireplace may be open in design or may be equipped with a small hearth opening and a short chimney or chimney opening at the top. These devices must be operated according to the manufacturers' instructions with all covers, screens, spark arresters, and grates in place. Portable outdoor fireplaces shall not be operated within 30 feet of a structure or combustible material.
- Welding and Cutting Torch Appliances
- Gas cylinder mixtures, electric and/or portable powered welders, and cutting appliances that produce heat, flame, sparks, molten metal slag, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about fire restrictions in Jefferson County, Colorado.
Useful Wildfire Links
Resources for wildfire preparedness, mitigation, and emergency notifications.
Jefferson County
Colorado
On This Page
How Decisions Are Made