09/04/2026
Effective 12:01 a.m., Friday, September 4, 2026, Pitkin County, including all USFS and BLM lands within Pitkin County will move from Stage 2 to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. This downgrade reflects improved fuel moisture and weather conditions.
What changes today:
- Open fires partially permitted again. Fires will once again be allowed in:
- Designated fire grates at developed recreation sites:
- Permanent fire pits or fire rings at private residences (must be enclosed in steel or concrete)
- Devices controlled by an on/off valve — gas grills, propane fire pits, gas fireplaces (Under Stage 2, all open fires — including campfires, charcoal/pellet grills, wood-burning stoves, and open-flame grills — were prohibited entirely.)
- Off-road driving/parking restriction lifted. The Stage 2 prohibition on driving or parking in vegetated areas off established roads is no longer in effect under Stage 1.
- Fireworks remain prohibited. Possession, use, or discharge of fireworks or other spark/smoke-producing devices continues to be banned under Stage 1.
- Smoking restrictions remain in effect. Smoking is still limited to enclosed vehicles, enclosed buildings, or outdoor areas cleared of flammable material.
- Spark-producing activity restrictions remain. Welding, torch use, and operation of internal combustion engines (chainsaws, generators, etc.) without an approved spark arrestor continue to be restricted to areas cleared of vegetation, with a fire extinguisher readily available.
These restrictions apply to all state, public, private, incorporated, and unincorporated lands within Pitkin County. The US Forest Service (White River National Forest) and BLM are implementing parallel Stage 1 restrictions on federal lands effective at the same time: 12:01 a.m., Friday, September 4, 2026.
Fire danger can shift quickly with changing weather, so all agencies and the public should continue to monitor conditions and be prepared for restrictions to change again if needed.
For the latest official updates, visit PitkinEmergency.com.
