Public Notice: County Rescinds Stage 2 Fire Restrictions.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Ouray County RESCINDS Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, reinstates Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
Ouray County, Colo. – With the return of some much-needed moisture in our area and recent heavy rains over much of Ouray County, the moisture levels in our surrounding forests have increased, which in turn, have increased the availability of responding resources, and lessened the threat of wildfire danger. This makes it possible for Ouray County to rescind Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. Stage 2 Fire Restrictions will be rescinded effective 12:01 a.m., Friday, September 5, 2025, and Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will be reinstated at that same time; this includes only the unincorporated areas of Ouray County, not the City of Ouray or Town of Ridgway, please check with the municipalities for their updates.
Fire restrictions are often put into place and rescinded throughout the season, and it’s important for community members and visitors to always double-check if restrictions are in place, and when in doubt, DON’T BURN.
Please continue to do your part to help prevent wildfire and follow 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.