Larimer County increases fire restrictions
On recommendation by the Larimer County Sheriff, the Board of Larimer County Commissioners today voted 2-0 to adopt increased fire restrictions in unincorporated Larimer County since the danger of wildfire, forest, and grass fires remains extremely high due to above-normal temperatures, extended drought, and persistently windy, dry conditions.
As of 12:01 a.m., May 6, 2026, increased fire restrictions for the unincorporated portions of Larimer County go into effect. The restrictions will stay in effect until 11:59 p.m., May 26, 2026. This restriction includes limitations on combustible devices and incendiary devices.
The fire restriction is in effect for all climate zones in unincorporated Larimer County. In order to address fire risk while still accounting for different climate areas, Larimer County has implemented a zoned approach. The county is divided into three zones: below 6,000 feet; 6,000–9,000 feet; and above 9,000 feet. View a real-time, interactive map of the area here: https://aegis.larimer.gov/
Banned today:
- Contained Open Fires. This includes open fire in a permanently constructed, stationary masonry or metal fireplaces specifically designed for the purpose of combustion.
- Uncontained Open Fires, including outdoor charcoal, pellet, and wood stoves/grills.
- Smoking in the open is not allowed, including on trails, parks and open spaces.
- Combustible devices.
- Operating or using any device with an internal or external combustion engine without a spark arrest device properly installed and in effective order.
- Fireplaces or wood stoves located inside a residence
- Gas or liquid fueled fires, including grills and camping stoves
- Open burning (official forest management purposes)
- Execution of authorized burn permits
Legal Definitions:
1. Combustible Devices shall mean any object which is flammable, explodes or is designed to or may cause fire. This includes sky lanterns, exploding ammunition, exploding targets, and tracer ammunition.
2. Open Fires shall include both contained open fires, uncontained open fires and gas or liquid-fueled fires.
a. “Contained Open Fires” shall mean open fire that is in a permanently constructed stationary masonry or metal fireplaces specifically designed for the purpose of combustion. Contained Open Fires shall not include fireplaces or wood stoves located inside a permanent structure, such as a residential dwelling or commercial business.
b. “Uncontained Open Fires” shall mean any fire (including but not limited to: campfire, fireplace, recreational fire, bonfire, firepit, etc…), coal, wood or pellet stove, fireplace, any type of charcoal, wood, or pellet fueled cooking, uncontained fire of any type in an undeveloped area including camp and cooking fires, welding, or operating acetylene or other torches with open flames.
c. “Gas or Liquid Fueled Fires” shall mean fires fueled by bottled gas or pressurized liquid, which shall include but is not limited to: portable heaters, cooking stoves, heating stoves, hiking/camping stoves, grills, firepits, fireplaces, etc.)
3. Open burning shall mean fire that a person starts and that is intentionally used for forest management.
Any person who knowingly violates these regulations can be fined.
