Contact: Karn Stiegelmeier, Chair, Board of County Commissioners

SUMMIT COUNTY – In conjunction with the Dillon Ranger District of the White River National Forest, the Board of County Commissioners has lifted Stage 2 fire restrictions in Summit County, effective immediately. The board passed a resolution Tuesday afternoon to enact the change, in recognition of significantly reduced fire danger throughout the region, following recent snowfall.

"With snow now on the ground, our fire danger is finally substantially lower, after a long stretch of warm, dry weather," Summit County Commissioner Karn Stiegelmeier said. "All our partners are on the same page, so it's the right time for us to lift fire restrictions now in Summit County."

Summit County also restored normal operating hours for public use at the Summit County Shooting Range.

Lifting Stage 2 fire restrictions maintains consistency with other jurisdictions in and around Summit County, including U.S. Forest Service lands. Local fire districts, County officials and U.S. Forest Service personnel will continue to monitor conditions throughout the remainder of the fall.

The year-round fire codes throughout Summit County remain in effect. The codes prohibit building, maintaining, attending or using an open fire. An open fire is defined as any outdoor fire, including but not limited to campfires, warming fires, bonfires or prescribed burns of any material.

The following activities are prohibited under the fire codes:

• Building, maintaining, attending or using an open fire
• Use of fireworks
• Use of tracer ammunition
• Use of any projectile containing explosive material, incendiary material or other flammable chemical substance
• Use of recreational explosives, including explosive targets
• Disposal of any burning object outdoors, including any cigarette, cigar or match.

Fires are allowed in constructed, permanent fire pits or fire grates within developed recreation sites, such as campgrounds and picnic areas. Fires are allowed on private property if contained within a commercially designed and manufactured outdoor fireplace or portable outdoor fireplace (including chimeneas) that is assembled, located and operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Any such device must also meet the following criteria:

• The resident or property owner has obtained a valid permit from the local fire district.
• The device must be equipped with a protective screen that reduces the spread of embers.
• The area directly underneath the fire is barren.
• The fire is at least 15 feet from any flammable material or structure.
• The size of the fire is no larger than 3 feet wide and 2 feet tall.
• Only nontoxic fuel sources such as wood or charcoal may be burned.

Natural gas and propane-fueled fire tables and fireplaces that have on/off switches do not require a permit from the fire district.

The Board of County Commissioners encourages the public to remain vigilant in wildfire prevention, especially in areas with dry vegetation or dead trees. Campfire safety rules should always be observed, even when fire restrictions are not in place.

Never leave any fire unattended; a responsible adult should maintain constant supervision until the fire is completely out.

For more information on wildfire prevention and campfire safety, visit www.SummitCountyCO.gov/wildfire. 

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