A dramatic photo of three firefighter silhouettes in front of a timber fire

Upper Colorado River District Fire Restrictions

map of colorado with fire unit boundaries

Current Fire Restrictions

In accordance with Title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 9212.2(a), BLM implements the fire restrictions detailed below. Any person who knowingly and willfully violates the regulations at § 9212.1 of this title shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both.

Colorado River Valley

The Colorado River Valley Field Office will rescind Stage 1 fire restrictions effective Sept. 12 at 12:01 a.m. Recent conditions have increased fuel moisture and lessened, but not eliminated, the threat of wildland fire danger, allowing restrictions to be lifted. Federal and county public lands surrounding the field office may remain under or reinstate fire restrictions. Please check agency fire restrictions before engaging in any activities in your area.

Although fire restrictions are lifting, field office managers would like to remind public land users to stay vigilant and aware of their actions, especially in areas with dry vegetation or dead/down trees.

Read the full prevention order here.

Grand Junction

The Grand Junction Field Office will rescind Stage 1 fire restrictions effective Sept. 12 at 12:01 a.m. Recent conditions have increased fuel moisture and lessened, but not eliminated, the threat of wildland fire danger, allowing restrictions to be lifted. Federal and county public lands surrounding the field office may remain under or reinstate fire restrictions. Please check agency fire restrictions before engaging in any activities in your area.

Although fire restrictions are lifting, field office managers would like to remind public land users to stay vigilant and aware of their actions, especially in areas with dry vegetation or dead/down trees.

Read the full prevention order here.

Public Land Closures

Sept. 25, 2025

Effective Sept. 25, BLM Grand Junction Field Office will reopen public lands in Mesa County that the bureau closed due to the Turner Gulch and Wright Draw Fires. Agency officials determined the area is safe and fire clean-up activities are complete.

Areas still closed

The Mesa County Road and Bridge Department will keep Niche Road closed until further notice.

Notice of Public Closure 

News Release

Sept. 11, 2025

Effective Sept. 12, BLM Grand Junction Field Office will reopen some public lands in Mesa County that were temporarily closed because of the Turner Gulch Fire. Some areas remain closed to keep the public and firefighters safe while crews work to restore the damage from fire suppression efforts. 

Areas now open

The modified order reopens the BLM-managed public lands south and east of Highway 141 and north of Ute Creek to boundaries with private property and U. S. Forest Service lands.

Areas still closed

The Niche Road remains closed under the revised order. Additionally, 7,202 acres remain closed. Lands south of Ute Creek that are bound by private land, the Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest, and a line extending east from the town of Gateway to the National Forest boundary, remain closed. These areas will remain closed until the Grand Junction Field Office rescinds the order. 

Please see the closure order, map and news release below for additional details:

Notice of Public Closure 

Area Closure Map 

News Release

Aug. 22, 2025

Effective immediately, BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office rescinded the land closure order for BLM-managed lands in Garfield County that were closed because of the Lee Fire. BLM issued the emergency closure Aug. 11 to ensure public and firefighter safety during suppression and contingency efforts. Activity related to the Lee Fire will continue until the fire is controlled. BLM urges the public to use caution in the area.

Notice of Rescission

News Release

 

District specific fire restrictions

(All fire restrictions are current unless the rescission order is posted. Please contact the field office for additional information.)

 

STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS

Graphic with photos that explains what type of campfires are allowed in stage one fire restrictions. Campfires are only allowed within designated fire grates in developed campgrounds (fire pans and rock campfire rings are not acceptable). No fires of any type including charcoal outside of developed areas
During stage 1 fire restrictions, campfires are only allowed within designated fire grates in developed campgrounds (fire pans and rock campfire rings are not acceptable). No fires of any type, including charcoal, are permitted outside of developed areas.
  • Campfires are only allowed within designated fire grates in developed campgrounds (i.e. a metal, in-ground containment structure -- fire pans and rock campfire rings are not acceptable)
  • No fires of any type including charcoal outside of developed areas. Devices using pressurized liquid or gas are exempted.
  • No smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or in a barren area free of vegetation.
  • No use of explosive materials, including explosive targets.
  • No welding or operation of an acetylene or other similar torch with open flame except from an area that has been cleared of vegetation.
  • No operation of any internal combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed and in working order.

 

STAGE 2 FIRE RESTRICTIONS

  • No campfires or use of specific grills or stoves in any location. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire, charcoal grill, coal, wood burning stove or sheepherders stove, including in developed camping and picnic grounds is prohibited. Devices using pressurized liquid or gas are exempted.
  • No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer or building.
  • No use of an explosive requiring a fuse or blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets and tracers or incendiary ammunition.
  • No use of any internal combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order meeting either:
    • (a) Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100-1a; or
    • (b) Appropriate Society of automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practice J335(b) and J350(a). 36 CFR 261.52(j)
  • No operation of a chainsaw without an approved spark arrestor, and without a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher and a round-point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches. The extinguisher will be with the equipment operator. The shovel may be kept with fueling supplies but readily available for use.
  • No welding or operation of an acetylene or other torch with open flame.