Burning Safely in Unincorporated Boulder County

A slash pile is a stack of branches and forest debris that is > 6” diameter, and no larger than 6 feet wide by 6 feet tall, created during property clean-up or wildfire mitigation.

• Permit required

Report your burn: Before you light it, log your Intent to Burn using the Open Burning Portal

Phone: 720-806-4305.

These are controlled fires set across larger areas to reduce wildfire risk, clear weeds, or improve land health.

• Permit required — Must register a burn plan.

Email: bcfiremanagement@bouldercounty.gov
Phone: 303-441-4500 before you burn.

Burns used for commercial agricultural purposes like soil prep, weed control, ditch clearing, or livestock grazing improvements.

No permit required — but burns must be registered.
You’ll receive a registration number.
Report your burn: Log your Intent to Burn using the Open Burning Portal
Phone: 720-806-4305.

Examples of allowed ag burns:

• Burning weeds or grasses before planting
• Burning brush to improve grazing land
• Clearing ditches or fence lines
• Burning orchard trimmings or crop stubble
• Burning water conveyance structures such as ditches and holding areas

Not considered ag burns:

• Tree farms or forest-agriculture classified lands
• Wildlife habitat projects

Fires for cooking, warmth, or for recreational purposes.
No permit required
Must be smaller than 2 feet wide x 3 feet high
Allowed year-round

Includes:

• Campfires on private land
• Charcoal or gas grills
• Fires for religious/instructional purposes (e.g. sweat lodges)

These fires are allowed at any time fire restrictions are not in place in unincorporated Boulder County:

• Indoor or outdoor fireplaces
• Tiki torches
• Propane grills or lanterns
• Kerosene heaters
• Candles
• Firefighter training burns (approved agencies only)

Elevation Makes a Difference

Use this tool to find your elevation: Find Your Elevation

* May require permit or registration

Time of Day Restrictions (All Elevations)

• March 1 – Oct 31: From 2 hours after sunrise to 2 hours before sunset
• Nov 1 – Feb 28/29: From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

No Burning During Fire Weather Alerts

Burning is not allowed with or without a permit / registration during any of the following National Weather Service alerts:

• Red Flag Warning – High fire danger due to wind, heat, and low humidity
• High Wind Warning/Watch – Dangerous winds
• Fire Weather Watch – Conditions are likely to increase fire risk

Always check the local forecast before burning!

Allowed (May Require Permit/Registration)

• Tree branches and trunks smaller than 6” in diameter
• Clean, dry slash
• Clean, dry forest debris

Not Allowed (Ever)

• Wet or dirt-covered vegetation
• Trash or garbage
• Construction debris
• Painted or treated wood
• Commercial or business waste
• Animal carcasses
• Lawn clippings or leaf piles
• Food waste
• Tires, insulation, plastics, and other high-smoke materials
• Pinecones (unless attached to pine branches)
• Stumps and large logs (over 6 inches)

Intent to Burn

• Let us know you’re starting a permitted or registered burn.
• Do this within 5 minutes of ignition using the Open Burning Portal or Phone: 720-806-4305.
• Have your permit or registration number ready.

Cancel Your Burn

• Not burning after all? Please cancel as early as possible using the portal or Phone: 720-806-4305.

Burn Completion

• At the end of the day, tell us the fire is completely out. Log this on the portal or Phone: 720-806-4305.

Important:

• Monitor your burn site for at least 72 hours after completion.
• Check for heat at any depth in the ashes using your hand — it must be cool to the touch.