Boulder County, Colo. - Effective at 1:00 p.m. today, September 9, 2026, Boulder County is updating fire restrictions for unincorporated areas based on improved weather conditions, reduced fire danger, and increased availability of firefighting resources.

Western Boulder County (i.e. mountain area) has been downgraded to Stage 1 fire restrictions, and Stage 1 fire restrictions for Eastern Boulder County (i.e. plains area) have been fully rescinded.

County officials emphasize that while conditions have improved, residents and visitors should continue to exercise caution with any activity that could ignite a wildfire.

Enforcement and Violations

These restrictions apply only to unincorporated Boulder County and do not alter restrictions enacted by incorporated municipalities, the State of Colorado, or federal land management agencies. Restrictions may be enforced by the Sheriff’s Office, local fire protection districts, and other authorized officers.

Violations of fire restrictions are civil infractions punishable by $500 for a first offense, $750 for a second offense, and $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense.

Restrictions will remain in effect until fire danger has further subsided.

Areas Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions (Western Boulder County)

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions apply to all unincorporated lands west of:

• Colorado Highway 93 from the southern county line to Colorado 119
• Broadway from Colorado 119 to U.S. 36
• U.S. 36 from Broadway to the northern county line
• The western boundary of Rabbit Mountain Open Space, extending to and including U.S. 36

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Prohibit:

• Igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire—including campfires, stoves, barbecues, grills, and lanterns that burn wood, pressed logs, briquettes, pellets, or charcoal
• Sale, use, and possession of fireworks
• Recreational shooting, except lawful hunting
• Smoking, except in enclosed vehicles or buildings, within U.S. Forest Service developed recreation sites, on private property, or within areas at least three feet in diameter cleared of flammable material
• Operating a chainsaw or other gas-powered equipment
• Welding, grinding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame
• Using explosives, including fuses, blasting caps, rockets, exploding targets, tracers, and incendiary ammunition
• Open Burning as defined in Ordinance 2023-1, including broadcast or pile burning
• Violating any state law concerning burning or fires

Stage 1 Exceptions:

• Building fires on private property
• Fire in a device that uses gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel with a functional shutoff valve, used in an area at least three feet in diameter cleared of flammable material
• Fully enclosed devices using wood, pressed logs, or charcoal with a ¼-inch or smaller spark arrester screen, used in an area at least ten feet in diameter cleared of flammable material
• Fire in permanent metal or concrete fire pits or grates installed and maintained by the U.S. Forest Service at developed recreation sites
• Open fires required for religious or spiritual ceremonies reported in advance to the Sheriff’s Office
• Recreational shooting on private property
• Chainsaw or gas-powered equipment use with a properly installed and working USDA or SAE approved spark arrester and close by stored pressure fire extinguisher and round-point shovel
• Welding or torch use in a ten-foot area cleared of flammable material with a close by stored pressure fire extinguisher
• Using explosives on private property
• Agricultural Burning as defined in Ordinance 2023-1

Eastern Boulder County — Restrictions Rescinded

All Stage 1 fire restrictions previously in effect for the plains area of unincorporated Boulder County have been rescinded as of today. No fire restrictions are currently in place for this area.

Residents and visitors are still encouraged to follow safe burning practices and remain aware of changing weather and fire conditions.

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