FIRE RESTRICTIONS & BANS
Jefferson County, Colorado
07/02/2026
Stage 2 Fire Ban: What is Prohibited
A Stage 2 Fire Ban is in effect. The following activities are prohibited in unincorporated Jefferson County, including on private property:
ALL fires & campfires — no exceptions for grates or fire pits
Open burning, bonfires & trash/debris burns
Charcoal grills
Chimineas, wood-burning fire pits & portable outdoor fireplaces
Sky lanterns
Smoking (except in enclosed buildings/vehicles, recreation sites, or barren 6-foot clearings)
Tracer rounds or explosive-type targets
Explosive initiation systems requiring a burning fuse line
Chain saws without an approved spark arrester, extinguisher & shovel
Welding & cutting torches without a fire-authority permit and 30-foot barren clearance
Still Allowed — Gas & Liquid-Fueled Devices
Gas fire pits, grills, lanterns & stoves
Camp stoves (liquid or gas fueled)
Approved wood pellet grills
Professional fireworks displays — with permit only
See detailed Stage 2 legal provisions for full definitions and additional exemptions.
How to Prepare
Help share the message with family, friends, and neighbors that any outdoor activity that could cause a spark or flame should not take place.
Be Ready
- Be alert and be prepared to take action. If you see smoke, call 911. Be prepared to evacuate should a fire ignite.
- Bring in or secure anything that could blow from your yard and could become a hazard (patio furniture, trash cans, decorations, etc.).
- Lock gates: use carabiners, padlocks, or strong latches on all gates to prevent them from blowing open.
- Bring pets indoors: the safest option is to bring pets inside. If pets must be kept outdoors, keep them under direct supervision, on a leash, or in a secure kennel. Ensure all pets wear collars with updated ID tags.
Defensible Space
Any time we get a run of hot, dry, or windy weather, wildfire risk goes right back up. On those days, you may see Red Flag Warnings and even temporary fire restrictions return. This is the perfect window to take action around your home:
- Clear out dry brush, broken limbs, and leaves.
- Create and maintain defensible space around your home.
- Sign up for Lookout Alert so you’ll know right away if conditions change in your neighborhood.
Violations & Penalties
Pursuant to County Policy Part: 3, Chapter 6, Section 2, authorizing the Declaration of Open Fire Bans, violations of these prohibitions, upon conviction, is punishable by a fine of not more than $600.00. Such act(s) violate section(s) 102.8 and/or 308.2 of the International Fire Code.
Fire Potential Outlook
Monthly fire potential forecast for Jefferson County from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) Predictive Services. This is a federal forecast and does not determine local fire restrictions — restriction decisions are made independently by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office based on local conditions.
07/02/2026
STAGE 2 FIRE RESTRICTIONS ARE IN PLACE FOR UNINCORPORATED DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO This includes Larkspur and Castle Pines.
These are the two stages of FIRE restrictions :
STAGE 1
STAGE 2
Not allowed:
- Open burning of any kind.
- Use of fireworks – including professional firework displays
- Use of fires in chimineas, other portable fireplaces or patio fire pits.
- Campfires at developed campgrounds or picnic areas.
- Use of model rockets.
Allowed:
- Fires within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves, grills, fire pits or other gas or liquid fueled appliance.
- Residential use of charcoal grill fires when such use is supervised by a responsible party at least 18 years of age.
- Fires contained within fireplaces and wood burning stoves within buildings only
- Fire suppression or fire department training fires.
Violation of these fire restrictions is a Class-2 Petty Offense, punishable by up to a $1000.00 fine and a $10.00 surcharge.
For more information about fire restrictions, read the Douglas County Ordinance O-012-004.
CURRENT COLORADO FIRE INCIDENTS
