During a special meeting, the Grand County Board of County Commissioners approved Stage 1 fire restrictions, effective at noon Friday, June 12, 2026.

The Grand County Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with local fire districts and federal partners, monitors fire conditions and the need for restrictions. Decisions are based on a fire restriction matrix used throughout northwest Colorado. After reviewing the latest data, Sheriff Brett Schroetlin recommended Stage 1 fire restrictions, which the Grand County Board of County Commissioners approved through Resolution No. 2026-06-08.

The decision resulted from collaboration among the sheriff, local fire districts, the Bureau of Land Management’s Kremmling Field Office, the Sulphur Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, and the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, according to a June 12 press release from the sheriff’s office.

What stage 1 restrictions mean

Under Stage 1 restrictions, open fires in Grand County are prohibited outside developed recreation sites. Dispersed campfires in forested areas are not permitted. Municipalities within Grand County retain the authority to implement their own fire restrictions.

Information and enforcement

Information line: The Grand County fire restrictions recorded line is 970-725-3852.

Current status: Up-to-date restrictions are available at GCEmergency.com.

Enforcement: Officials are seeking voluntary compliance to help prevent wildfires. To report a violation, contact the Grand County Communications Center at 970-725-3311. Residents should not confront violators and should allow deputies to handle the situation.

Penalty: Violating Grand County fire restrictions carries a fine of up to $1,000 for each offense.

Prohibited activities

The following activities are prohibited under Stage 1 restrictions:

• Building, maintaining, attending or using an open fire outside a developed recreation site.
• Smoking outdoors except inside an enclosed vehicle or building, in a developed campground or picnic area, or while stopped in an area at least 6 feet in diameter that is free of combustible materials.
• Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE-approved spark-arresting device that is properly installed and functioning.
• Welding or operating torches with an open flame except in an area at least 10 feet in diameter that is free of combustible materials.
• Using explosive or incendiary devices, excluding permissible fireworks.

Allowed activities

The following activities are allowed under Stage 1 restrictions:

• Open fires in developed campgrounds with fees and hosts or in picnic areas with permanently constructed fire grates or charcoal grills.
• Fires contained within liquid- or gas-fueled stoves, lanterns and heating devices, as well as wood pellet grills and stoves.
• Open fires at private residences in permanent or portable outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, chimineas and grills.
• Fireworks allowed under Colorado law and permitted professional fireworks displays within Grand County.

Wildfire resources

Residents can find more information from the following organizations:

• Grand County Wildfire Council: BeWildfireReady.org
• Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
• Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest
• Bureau of Land Management Northwest District