Routt National Forest to enter Stage 1 fire restrictions

Forest Order Map

(LARAMIE, Wyo.) – Beginning Friday, July 11, 2025, Stage 1 fire restrictions will be in place for the Routt National Forest in northwest Colorado. 

This includes National Forest System lands located in Garfield, Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service has communicated with all affected counties, state agencies, and neighboring federal land managers on the timing of the restrictions.

Restrictions are necessary due to quickly drying fuel conditions, forecast fire weather patterns, and the danger of human-caused wildfires. Recent weather conditions have resulted in an elevated potential for wildfires. Fire restrictions will help protect public health and safety, as well as natural resources.

Not uncommon recently, the Routt National Forest has now been in Stage 1 restrictions at some point in six of the last eight years. 

The following prohibitions are in effect until further notice:

• Igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes) except if it is in:
  • A permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the U.S. Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas);
  • A device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off used in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device; or
  • A fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least five feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a ¼ inch or less used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device.
• Using an explosive.
  • This includes but is not limited to fuses, blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, tracers, and incendiary ammunition.
• Smoking is prohibited, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
• Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except if in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of Class 2A) is kept with the operator.

Personal, portable wood or charcoal burning fire pits/rings, often made of stainless steel, are not allowed under these restrictions. Campfires are only allowed in USDA approved and installed fire pits/grates, or gas-fueled devices with an on/off switch.

Always important for fire prevention and enforceable year-round is the following prohibition regarding spark arrester use:

• Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device that is properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order in accordance with USDA Forest Service Standard 5100-1.
  • For chainsaw use, it is recommended the operator have a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of 2A) and a round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use.

Violation of the Stage I Fire Prohibitions is punishable as a class B misdemeanor, by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment of not more than six months, or both.  Anyone negligently or willfully starting a wildland fire could also be held responsible for the costs of that fire.

Forest staff will continue to monitor conditions to assess the need for further action, including additional restrictions if weather remains hot and dry and lessening restrictions if a wetter and cooler weather pattern develops.

To report a wildland fire, please call the Northern Colorado Interagency Dispatch Center, (970) 295-6800.

Call your local office for site-specific information.

• Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District, Steamboat Springs, Colo., (970) 870-2299
• Parks Ranger District, Walden, Colo., (970) 723-2700
• Yampa Ranger District, Yampa, Colo., (970) 638-4516
• Forest Supervisor’s Office, Laramie, Wyo., (307) 745-2300

Information on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland can be found on our website or on the Forests’ 'X' and Facebook accounts.