FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Beginning in Ouray County
Ouray County, Colo. (July 1, 2025) The unincorporated area of Ouray County will implement Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on Wednesday, July 2. Extreme fire danger, high temperatures and worsening dry conditions were the deciding factors in this decision. Restrictions will go into effect at 12:01am on Wednesday, July 2.
Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:
• Campfires are only allowed within an agency provided fire grate at developed recreation sites. Devices using gas, petroleum jelly, or pressurized liquid fuel are permitted. Fire pans and rock campfire rings are not acceptable.
• No fires of any type, including charcoal, outside of developed areas.
• No smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or in a barren area free of vegetation
• No use of explosive materials, including explosive targets.
• No welding or operation of an acetylene or other similar torch with open flame except an area that has been cleared of vegetation.
• No operation of any internal combustion engine without a spark-arresting device properly installed and in working order.
• Leaving a fire unattended or unextinguished.
• Possession, discharge or use of any fireworks.
• Discharge of a firearm using incendiary or tracer ammunition.
• Burning, igniting or causing to burn any tire, wire, magnesium, or any other hazardous or explosive material.
• Operating any off-road vehicle on public lands unless the vehicle is equipped with a properly installed spark arrester pursuant to 43 CFR 8343.1 (c).
Please be advised that penalties for violating the fire ban include: Class-2 petty offense with fines ranging from $100 to $500 depending on the number of offenses. If a fire causes damage to another individual’s property, additional criminal charges may apply. These fire restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.
Violations of these restrictions can be reported to the Ouray County Sheriff's Office at 970-325-7272 or by calling WestCo Dispatch at 970-249-9110.
For more fire-related information on Colorado’s Western Slope please visit: http://www.westslopefireinfo.com/
Community members and visitors are encouraged to sign-up for Emergency Notifications through Ouray County Alerts: https://ouraycountyco.gov/434/Emergency-Notifications