08/21/2026
Effective at noon today, Friday, August 21, 2026, the City of Manitou Springs has transitioned from Stage 2 to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.
While this is a reduction in restrictions, fire danger remains a serious concern. Dry fuels, low moisture levels, limited precipitation, and above-average temperatures mean that even a small fire or spark can quickly become a wildfire.
Under Stage 1 restrictions:
- Open Burning Ban, defined as the prohibited use of any outside fire, including campfires and warming fires.
- This current ban excludes fires in permanently constructed fire rings within the cityβs RV and Camping Parks; and charcoal grills and smokers, and wood burning fireplaces, (chiminia) or fire pits with proper fitting screen covers and with a minimum of 15β separation from structures or other combustible material at private residences. None of these exclusions permit a total fuel area greater than 3 feet in diameter, and all must have a flame height of less than 2 feet.
- Outdoor Smoking Ban, defined as the prohibited use of any to***co product or similar material in ci******es, ci**rs, or pipes outdoors. This excludes smoking in enclosed buildings or structures, and along Manitou Avenue. Discarding of a lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe to***co product is strictly prohibited.
- These restrictions do not apply to gas-fueled grills used out-of-doors, or to fires within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves. Additionally, compliant fireplaces and wood-burning stoves within private residences are not included.
Please don't let the change to Stage 1 give you a false sense of security. We ask everyone to remain extremely cautious with anything that can produce a flame, heat, ember, or spark. Never leave a fire unattended, properly extinguish all fires, and make sure ci******es and other smoking materials are completely out and disposed of safely.
One spark is all it takes. Help us prevent a wildfire. Keep up to date with current Manitou Fire Conditions here:
https://www.manitouspringsco.gov/733/Our-Current-Fire-Danger