map of colorado with fire unit boundaries

Upper Colorado River District

Fire management in Colorado is an interagency partnership among federal, state and local entities. BLM-managed lands within Colorado are broken into four Interagency Fire Management Units: Northwest Colorado Fire Unit in Craig, Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Unit in Grand Junction, Southwest District Fire Unit in Montrose and Front Range District Fire Unit in Canon City.

Current Fire Restrictions

See below for Field Office specific fire restrictions- all fire restrictions are current unless the rescission order is posted. Please contact the field office for additional information.

    Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:

    • 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
    • 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

    The following activities are prohibited under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions:

    • 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. Devices using pressurized liquid or gas are exempted.
    • Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer, building or tent.
    • Using an explosive requiring fuse or blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets and tracers or incendiary ammunition.
    • Operating or using 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)
    • Operating 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.
    • Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame (except with a current permit, contract or letter of authorization).

    Colorado River Valley Field Office

    August 18, 2023: Colorado River Valley Field Office Stage 1 Fire Restriction Termination COG02-23-01

    The Colorado River Valley Field Office is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions for BLM managed lands within Garfield and Mesa counties - Effective July 21, 2023. Fire Prevention Order COG02-23-01 *TERMINATED Aug. 18, 2023

    July 17, 2023: Spring Creek Fire Area Closure Order *Rescinded

    June 27, 2023Spring Creek Fire Area Closure Order #COG02000-23-02 
                              Spring Creek Fire Closure Map

    August 18, 2023: Notice to Rescind the Duck Pond Closure

    April 28, 2023: Notice of Public Closure due to the Duck Pond Fire in Eagle County. A map of the closure can be found here.

    May 13, 2022: Amended Notice of Public Closure due to Duck Pond Fire in Eagle County

    Grand Junction Field Office

    August 18, 2023: Grand Junction Field Office Stage 1 Fire Restriction Termination COG01-23-01

    The Grand Junction Field Office is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions for all BLM managed lands within Mesa and Garfield counties - Effective July 21, 2023. Fire Prevention Order COG01-23-01 *TERMINATED Aug. 18, 2023