Fire Bans and Alerts

STAGE 1 FIRE BAN IS IN EFFECT

Updated August 21, 2026

City of Leadville & Lake County – Stage 1 as of 8/21/26

US Forest Service (San Isabel National Forest) – Stage 1 as of 8/21/26

Bureau of Land Management – Stage 1 as of 8/21/26

What does that mean?

Fire bans can get confusing as restrictions can vary from county to county and within Lake County we have 3 land management areas – Lake County/Leadville, US National Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Basic Overview – no dispersed camping fires or home rock fire rings or open burning. Paid for USFS Campgrounds (with a campground host) fires are permitted in the permanent grate.

PROHIBITED

Open Fires are prohibited except as permitted above. This includes campfires at dispersed camping sites or outside developed campground fire grates (a rock ring is NOT an approved fire grate).
Open burning, burn barrels, and other unauthorized open flames.
Fireworks of any kind (fireworks are prohibited year-round on federal public lands).
Tracer or incendiary ammunition.

ALLOWED

Campfires are allowed ONLY in permanently constructed fire grates or fire pits in developed recreation sites.
Portable stoves, grills, and lanterns fueled by propane, pressurized liquid fuel, or gas may be used.
To use Spark-Producing Equipment
- Must have a spark arrestor on internal combustions engines
- Must have a ten (10) foot area cleared of all combustible materials
- Must have a fire extinguisher or water source immediately available
Smoking is allowed only:
- Inside an enclosed vehicle
- Inside a building
- In an area cleared of all flammable materials with a minimum radius of three (3) feet

ENFORCEMENT

1st offense: $250 | 2nd: $500 | 3rd: $1,000
Additional charges/suppression-cost liability may apply if a violation causes a wildfire

Report Suspicious Activity or Smoke: Lake County Dispatch at 719-486-1271

*Roughly 74% of Lake County is USFS land; the Sheriff/Fire Warden aligns county restrictions with Forest Service levels, based on fuel moisture, weather, and drought monitoring.

A great alternative is to use gas fire pits or stoves with an on/off switch, which are still permitted under most Stage 1 and Stage 2 fire restrictions. The fire pit must have 3 feet of perimeter from dry grass, brush or other combustible materials.

The detailed version of each area’s restrictions can be found by reading the official restriction orders on the Lake County Office of Emergency Management webpage or clicking on the red text above.

Additional Resources

On the map below:

Light green is US Forest Service
Yellow is BLM
White is considered Lake County/Leadville.

**Our local US Forest Service Leadville Ranger Station manages the San Isabel National Forest, the White River National Forest (just north of Ski Cooper) could be in a different fire ban level, be sure to check with Eagle County and the Minturn Ranger Station.**

Fire Safety Tips

Please remember that low fire danger does not mean no fire danger.
Please keep campfires small and under control.
Ensure that campfires are dead out. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave. Keep a shovel and water nearby to douse escaped embers. Using water is the best option, but applying dirt to the fire will also help.
Do not park or idle vehicles in tall dry grass. The heat from the vehicle’s exhaust can spark a wildfire.
Do not allow chains to drag from vehicles or towed trailers.
Fireworks are never allowed on federally managed lands.

Please continue to practice fire safety and make sure campfires are cool to the touch before leaving them.

View guide on campfire etiquette.

WHAT ARE STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS?

Stage 1 fire restrictions mean these activities are prohibited:

Igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes) outside of a permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas).

Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

Operating a chainsaw without an effective and properly installed USDA- or Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)- approved spark arrestor, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of 2A) kept with the operator, and a round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use.

Blasting, welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame without being in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and keeping a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of 2A) with the operator.

Using an explosive. This includes but is not limited to fuses, blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, tracers, and incendiary ammunition.

WHAT ARE STAGE 2 FIRE RESTRICTIONS?

In the forest –

This video from Durango also speaks to restrictions you would find for homes and private property, on the roads and more

Lake County Stage 2 Fire Restrictions include:

NO open fires of any kind, including campfires, fire pits, and charcoal grills
NO agricultural burning or yard debris burning
NO use of fireworks (including permissible fireworks)
NO smoking outdoors, except inside an enclosed vehicle or building
NO welding or activities that produce open sparks or flames without proper mitigation and permits

What IS Allowed

Use of liquid-fueled or gas stoves/grills (propane, butane) with a shut-off valve, when used responsibly
Activities conducted in a permanent structure designed to contain flames

Enforcement

Violations of Stage 2 Fire Restrictions will be enforced. Penalties are as follows:
- First Offense: $250 fine
- Second Offense: $500 fine
- Third Offense: $1,000 fine

Thank you for helping to protect our forests and homes!

CARE FOR COLORADO:

Please always check for fire restrictions and follow them!

Take Care with Fire
Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces