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Fire Restrictions — San Luis Valley Field Office (Colorado)

Current status · checked September 16, 2026
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Recently tightened
In effect since September 13, 2026 · Read the signed order

Campfires are restricted — typically allowed only inside agency-provided fire structures in developed recreation sites, and prohibited at dispersed sites. The signed order has the specifics.

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What this order prohibits

✕ Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire except within agency-provided fire grates at developed recreation sites. Devices using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are permitted
✕ Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials
✕ Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and working, a chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity by weight, and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches
✕ Using a welder, either arc or gas, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter with a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity
✕ Using exploding targets
✕ Leaving a fire unattended or unextinguished
✕ Possession, discharge or use of any fireworks
✕ Discharge of a firearm using incendiary or tracer ammunition
✕ Burn, ignite or cause to burn any tire, wire, magnesium, or any other hazardous or explosive material
✕ Operate any off-road vehicle on public lands unless the vehicle is equipped with a properly installed spark arrester pursuant to 43 CFR 8343.1 (c)
✓ Persons with a permit or letter of authorization specifically authorizing the prohibited act or omission
✓ Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty

Parsed from the signed order. The order itself governs — read it before you strike a match.

From the order

Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect for the San Luis Valley Field Office. Campfires are only allowed within agency-provided fire grates at developed recreation sites; gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel devices are permitted. Smoking is prohibited except in an enclosed vehicle or building, at a developed recreation site, or in a barren area cleared of flammable materials at least three feet in diameter. All other activities, including chainsaw use without proper spark arresters and fire extinguishers, welding, exploding targets, fireworks, and off-road vehicles without spark arresters, are also restricted.

Order history

June 18, 2026now

Agencies overwrite their alert pages when an order changes; GroundTruth keeps the timeline. Dates reflect each order's effective date.

Ranger offices & dispatch

Offices cover the region; the closest one to your route can confirm current conditions.

Frequently asked

Can I have a campfire in San Luis Valley Field Office (Colorado) right now?

San Luis Valley Field Office (Colorado) is under Stage 1 fire restrictions as of September 16, 2026. Campfires are typically allowed only inside agency-provided fire structures in developed recreation sites, and prohibited at dispersed sites. Read the signed order for the exact terms.

Are propane or gas stoves allowed during fire restrictions?

Usually yes. Devices fueled solely by pressurized liquid petroleum or LPG with an on-off valve are typically exempt under Stage 1 and Stage 2, used in an area cleared of flammable material. The signed order always governs — read it before relying on an exemption.

Know before you strike a match — even offline

GroundTruth for iOS gives a grounded campfire verdict for your exact GPS location, online or off, backed by the signed order. The verdict is free, always. Get a push the moment this status tightens.

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Data: GroundTruth restriction pipeline · Colorado Mountains (NIFC Rocky Mountain) · page updated 2026-09-16.