A campfire is one of the joys of camping, and in Colorado it is also one of the most regulated activities you can do outdoors. Long dry spells, wind and beetle-killed forests make wildfire a year-round concern in parts of the state. When fire danger climbs, land managers impose staged restrictions, and those orders carry real penalties. The responsibility for knowing the current rules falls on the camper.
Who sets fire restrictions
Fire restrictions follow land ownership, so one weekend trip can cross several jurisdictions with different rules:
- CountiesSheriffs and county commissioners set restrictions on private and county land, reported on a statewide county map.
- National forestsEach forest or ranger district issues its own orders for national forest land.
- BLM districtsBLM field offices and districts issue orders for public land they manage, often jointly with neighboring forests.
- ParksNational parks and individual state parks post their own fire rules and bans.
The state Division of Fire Prevention and Control explains that its county restrictions map covers county jurisdictions only and does not show federal restrictions on Forest Service, BLM or Park Service land. You need to check both.
Stage 1 and Stage 2, in plain language
| Activity | No restrictions | Stage 1 | Stage 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campfire in a permanent metal grate at a developed campground | Allowed | Allowed | Prohibited |
| Campfire at a dispersed site, rock ring or fire pan | Allowed where not otherwise banned | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Charcoal grill | Allowed | Only in developed sites | Prohibited, including developed sites |
| Gas stove with on-off valve | Allowed | Usually allowed | Usually allowed; check the order |
| Smoking | Use care | Only in enclosed vehicles or buildings, developed sites or barren areas | Further limited |
| Explosives, including exploding targets | Rules vary | Prohibited | Prohibited |
This table summarizes common wording in Colorado BLM and Forest Service orders. Individual orders differ. For example, a White River National Forest Stage 1 order allowed fully enclosed hunting-tent stoves only with a chimney at least five feet long and a spark arrester, and some BLM Stage 2 orders explicitly ban wood-burning and sheepherder stoves even in developed campgrounds. Always read the actual order.
Permanent rules that apply even without a ban
Some campfire rules do not depend on fire stages at all. Many designated wilderness areas have standing restrictions. In the Indian Peaks Wilderness, campfires are prohibited east of the Continental Divide and at several named lakes and creek sections on the west side. A Rio Grande National Forest order for the La Garita Wilderness bans campfires above treeline and within 100 feet of trails and water. Read the regulations for the specific area, usually posted at trailheads and on the forest website.
Fireworks are prohibited on national forest land at all times. They are also generally banned in state and national parks.
How to check before every trip
- Find your land manager. Identify whether you will be on national forest, BLM, national park, state park, county or private land.
- Check the county map. The DFPC fire restriction page links to the statewide county map and to federal agency pages.
- Check the federal or park page. For national forests, look at the forest's fire or alerts page; for BLM, the BLM Colorado fire restrictions page lists districts and field offices.
- Look at the trailhead and campground boards. Posted orders on site are current and enforceable.
- Re-check if your trip is long. Restrictions can be added or lifted mid-week.
Having a responsible campfire when allowed
- Use an existing fire ring or the campground grate. Do not build new rings.
- Keep it small, and clear flammable material from around it.
- Never leave a fire unattended, even for a few minutes.
- Do not burn trash, food or plastics.
- Skip the fire on windy days, even if it is technically allowed.
- Drown, stir and drown again until the ashes are cold to the touch.
- Buy firewood where you burn it. The Colorado Department of Agriculture and Colorado State Forest Service advise against moving firewood, which can spread pests such as the emerald ash borer.
Cook without fire
A canister or liquid-fuel stove with a shut-off valve is the simplest way to keep cooking during most restrictions. Lanterns and headlamps replace firelight, and a warm layer replaces the fire's heat.
Reporting a fire
If you see smoke or an unattended fire, move to a safe place and call 911 with your location. Note landmarks, mile markers or GPS coordinates. Do not try to fight anything beyond a tiny escaped ember you can safely smother.
Penalties
Violating a federal fire restriction can result in fines and possible jail time, and people who start wildfires can be held liable for the cost of suppression and damages. County ordinances carry their own penalties. The simplest protection is to check the rules and, when in doubt, go without a fire.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a campfire in Colorado right now?
It depends on exactly where you are camping and who manages the land. Check the county fire restriction map from the state, then the national forest, BLM field office, national park or state park page for your site. Restrictions change often in dry periods.
What does Stage 1 fire restriction mean in Colorado?
Under typical Stage 1 orders, campfires are allowed only within permanently installed metal fire grates in developed campgrounds and picnic areas. Fire pans and rock rings do not count, fires of any type are prohibited outside developed areas, and smoking is limited to enclosed vehicles, buildings, developed sites or barren areas.
What is banned under Stage 2 fire restrictions?
Stage 2 orders generally ban campfires and charcoal fires everywhere, including in developed campgrounds and picnic areas, and may restrict wood stoves, chainsaw use, welding and other activities. Gas stoves with an on-off valve are often still allowed, but check the specific order.
Are propane fire pits allowed during fire bans?
Many Colorado fire orders exempt devices fueled by pressurized liquid or gas that can be turned off with a valve, but the wording varies by order. Read the exemptions in the current order for the area, and use any device on bare ground away from vegetation.
Sources
- Colorado DFPC: Fire restriction information
- BLM Colorado: Fire restrictions
- BLM: White River NF and Upper Colorado River District stage 1 restrictions
- BLM: Northwest District fire restrictions
- San Juan National Forest: fire information
- Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison NF: fire
- Arapaho and Roosevelt NF: Indian Peaks Wilderness
- Rio Grande NF: La Garita Wilderness use restrictions
- Colorado Department of Agriculture: Emerald ash borer
Checked against official agency sources in October 2026. Fees, reservation windows, fire orders and closures change often; the agency pages linked above are always the final word. See how we research.