Pitkin County now at Stage 1 Fire Restrictions with White River National Forest, BLM

Pitkin County has moved to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions as of Friday, but fire danger remains present across the landscape.

The decision was made in coordination with regional fire officials. Pitkin County now joins White River National Forest and Bureau of Land Management at Stage 1, but county officials still stress that fire danger exists year-round and continued vigilance is essential.

“While conditions have improved enough to move out of Stage 2 restrictions, it’s important to remember that wildfires can start any time of year in our region,” said Chris Breitbach, Pitkin County emergency manager, in a press release. “We encourage everyone to make safe choices and help protect our community.”

Residents and visitors are now allowed to have open fires in designated fire grates in developed recreation sites or in permanent fire pits or fire rings at private residences in Stage 1. However, everyone is asked to practice fire safety by never leaving fires unattended, properly extinguishing all fires, avoiding parking on dry grass, and disposing of cigarettes responsibly. 

Despite the shift into Stage 1, and into the autumn season, fire danger is far from gone.

“We’re not out of the woods going into the fall with fire risk,” Parker Lathrop, chief deputy of operations at the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, said. “No matter what rain we get, no matter the weather, the wild grasses are done pulling moisture out of the soil. The trees are going to start drying out. Although it gets wetter … we also run the potential of stuff drying out a lot quicker. Our fire danger could increase pretty quickly.”

David Boyd, public affairs officer for the White River National Forest, echoed this sentiment.

“We revisit restrictions weekly with counties and other partners,” Boyd said. “As we enter the fall, plants that were green in the summer are curing and become more receptive to fire. We sometimes see an uptick in human-caused fires during the fall when temperatures are cooling. It’s important for all visitors to pay close attention to any fire restrictions and to ensure campfires, where allowed, are cold to the touch before leaving camp.” 

Visitors should also be aware that parking in dry vegetation and dragging trailer chains can start wildfires, he added. 

While recent rain has “definitely helped reduce fire danger,” according to Boyd, conditions are still warranting those Stage 1 restrictions and caution.

For more information on Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, visit aspenfire.com/stage-1-fire-restrictions.

According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, this July was the 12th driest July on record over the past 131 years for Pitkin County and the second driest year to date over the past 131 years (January to July 2025).

All residents and visitors who violate fire restrictions will face penalties, including fines between $500 and $1,000 and possible jail time. Knowingly or recklessly burning during the restriction period is illegal, and legal actions will be taken against individuals in violation under CRS 30-15-410 and Pitkin County Resolution 96, according to the county.

Boyd noted that on the White River National Forest, there was “good compliance” while in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. Both the White River National Forest and Pitkin County haven’t been in either Stage 1 or 2 fire restrictions since 2021, when both were reached.

In Pitkin County, Lathrop confirmed this summer saw a majority of “educational contacts” where citations did not have to be issued. 

“I didn’t hear of any (real pushback),” he said of Stage 2 enforcement. “People were more than compliant and understanding.”

The current Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect until further notice covering all state, public, private, incorporated, and unincorporated lands within Pitkin County. Fire restrictions can change quickly, and officials ask the public to check for updates and stay informed. For the most reliable and up-to-date information on current fire restrictions, visit PitkinEmergency.com. 

“Thank you to the community and everybody who does abide by the restrictions,” Lathrop said. “It’s the people and the efforts they make that have really made us safe this year.”