What Colorado's Fire Restriction Stages Really Mean

Colorado’s Western Slope offers Grand Mesa Camping, hiking in the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, and waterfall views in Rifle or Ouray. Fire restrictions in our state’s most popular places vary from county to county and are managed locally based on current threats.

This is why it’s important to understand all three stages of fire restrictions, as conditions can change fast, and you may have to adapt in the wilderness on the fly.

Get our free mobile app

Stage 1 Is the "Be Extra Careful" Phase

The Western Slope's Easy Guide to Colorado Fire Restrictions — Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are the initial measures agencies implement at the first sign of fire danger. You can still enjoy the outdoors, camp, and hike, but activities that cause sparks are limited. Campfires should be in permanent fire grates in developed campgrounds; dispersed campfires are generally banned.

Fireworks and high-risk activities are prohibited, and equipment like chainsaws must have approved spark arrestors outdoors. Stage 1 restrictions attempt to reduce human-caused fires before conditions get really bad. This year, most Colorado counties have stage 1 restrictions in place in part, or county-wide, at the end of June.

Stage 2 Means Fire Danger Has Become Serious

Colorado counties know that Stage 2 fire restrictions are necessary when conditions raise the risk of wildfires significantly. As wildfire risk becomes more widespread, Stage 2 restrictions become necessary. During stage 2, almost all open flames are banned. That’s campfires (all kinds) and all charcoal grills. When conditions turn hot, dry, and windy, sparks can become fast-moving wildfires.

Several Colorado counties are moving to State 2 Fire Restrictions as of June 26, 2026, including: Elbert, Garfield, Grand, Lake, Mesa, Park, Pitkin, and Summit. A portion of BLM Lands in the following locations will be advancing to stage 2 restrictions: Grand, Jackson, Larimer, Routt, and Summit.

The Most Misunderstood Fire Restriction Level

Stage 3 Restrictions confuse most people in Colorado, as there is no statewide “Stage 3” that is in use by all agencies. Instead, it’s a term the public likes to use when emergency closures start to happen as the wildfire risk becomes extreme. Closures during extreme wildfire risk usually mean public lands are closed entirely to camping, hiking, off-roading, and most recreation activities.

Because agencies have different policies, it’s a good idea to do a little research before you adventure outdoors, especially if stage 2 restrictions are already in place in your area.

LOOK: 10 Tips to Prevent Wildfires from the US Department of Interior

Forecasters believe 2025 has the potential for widespread fires. Over 90% are caused by humans. Here's how you can prevent wildfires.

Gallery Credit: ASHLEY SOLLARS

KEEP GOING: Colorado Wildfire Damage by Year, Number of Fires + Acres Burned

Colorado has seen its fair share of wildfires over the years, but the numbers really start to tell the story when you look at them year by year.

From just a few thousand acres burned in the '90s to massive jumps in the 2000s, it’s clear something has changed.

We dug into the data to see which years were the worst and how things have shifted across the state.

Gallery Credit: Tim Gray

MORE: 11 Colorado National Forests That Will Blow Your Mind

From the ski‑swooped slopes of the White River National Forest near Aspen to the isolated high‑mesa woods near Grand Junction, Colorado’s 11 national forests span millions of acres and countless stories.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams