FIRE RESTRICTIONS & BANS
Jefferson County, Colorado
08/20/2026
Current Fire Restriction Status-STAGE 1
Current Drought & Weather Conditions
Drought Intensity
D0 — Abnormally DryD1 — ModerateD2 — SevereD3 — ExtremeD4 — Exceptional
Jefferson County boundary
Drought data: US Drought Monitor (opens in new tab)(NDMC/USDA/NOAA). Updated weekly.
Source images (click to enlarge):
The U.S. Drought Monitor is jointly produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Map courtesy of NDMC.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Wildland Fire Management Team, in conjunction with other fire partners and neighboring counties, continuously monitors weather, soil, and vegetation conditions to assess overall fire risk. When conditions warrant, the county enacts Stage 1 or Stage 2 restrictions and lifts them as conditions improve. The current restriction status is shown at the top of this page.
Reminder: Jefferson County Parks and Open Space as well as Denver Mountain Parks lands are always in Stage 2 Fire Ban. Check with your local municipalities or fire department for fire restrictions in incorporated/municipal areas.
Stage 1: What is Prohibited
When Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect, the following activities are prohibited in unincorporated Jefferson County:
Fires & campfires (except in permanent fire grates)
Smoking (except in enclosed buildings/vehicles, recreation sites, or barren clearings)
Open burning & bonfires
Tracer/incendiary rounds or explosive targets
Allowed with Conditions
These activities remain allowed only when the listed conditions are met:
Charcoal grills — 30+ feet from undeveloped area
Portable outdoor fireplaces — 30+ feet from undeveloped area
Recreational fires — 30+ feet from undeveloped area
Welding & cutting torches — 30+ feet from undeveloped area
See detailed Stage 1 legal provisions for full definitions and additional exemptions.
Fire Ban Impact: During declared fire restrictions (Stage 1 or Stage 2), the use of all fireworks — including normally permissible ones like sparklers and fountains — is entirely prohibited. Violations can be subject to a fine of up to $600 per violation.
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.
August 2026
Normal
Fire Potential
September 2026
Normal
Fire Potential
October 2026
Normal
Fire Potential
November 2026
Normal
Fire Potential
08/20/2026
STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS ARE IN PLACE FOR UNINCORPORATED DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADOThis includes Larkspur and Castle Pines.
STAGE 1
Not allowed:
- No open burning of any kind.
- No use of fireworks.
- No use of model rockets.
Allowed:
- Fires within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves, fireplaces within buildings, charcoal grill fires within developed residential or commercial areas, and fires within wood-burning stoves within buildings only.
- Professional fireworks displays are permitted according to section 12-28-103 of the C.R.S.
- Fire suppression or fire department training fires.
- Small recreational fires at a developed picnic or campground sites contained in fixed permanent metal/steel fire pits (rock fire rings are considered temporary and not permanent) with flame lengths not in excess of four feet.
- Residential use of charcoal grills, Tiki torches, fires in chimineas or other portable fireplaces or patio fire pits, as long as the fires are supervised by a responsible person at least 18 years old.
- Professional fireworks displays.
Violation of these fire restrictions is a Class-2 Petty Offense, punishable by up to a $1000.00 fine and a $10.00 surcharge
STAGE 2
For more information about fire restrictions, read the Douglas County Ordinance O-012-004.
CURRENT COLORADO FIRE INCIDENTS
