Delta County is in stage 2 fire resctrictions

Delta County enacts Stage 2 Fire Restrictions – Effective August 8, 2025 

August 7, 2025 

On Thursday, August 7, 2025, Delta County Sheriff Mark Taylor announced the decision to implement Stage 2 fire restrictions in Delta County effective Friday, August 8, 2025 at 12:01 am. Stage 2 restrictions will apply to all unincorporated lands within Delta County, state parks and wildlife areas and within the Town limits of any municipality within Delta County which elects by appropriate ordinance or resolution to have the provisions of stage 2 fire restrictions apply within their jurisdiction. 

Due to the number of major wildfires currently burning across Western Colorado including the Leroux Fire here in Delta County, the forecast for more hot, dry windy weather combined with extremely low fuel moisture levels, and low humidity levels currently and forecast; Sheriff Taylor felt there was a need to implement Stage 2 fire restrictions to prevent human caused wildfires in Delta County.  

The decision to implement stage 2 restrictions aligns with Montrose County, the Uncompahgre Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. While recent wildfires such as the Leroux Fire have been natural ignitions from lightning, the conditions across Delta County are extremely hazardous right now and additional steps are needed to prevent human caused wildfires from spreading and causing impacts to public safety. 

Sheriff Taylor advised, “Delta County has not received the monsoon moisture patterns we normally see which bring relief to Delta County during the late summer months, instead we have had weeks of hot, dry windy weather and several wildfires which have strained our firefighting resources.  Enacting Stage II restrictions is a way to help prevent human caused wildfires and protect the health and safety of residents across Delta County.”

Stage 2 restrictions implements additional safety measures to reduce the risk caused by human activity that could lead to a wildland fire.  Under Stage 2 restrictions, the following activities are PROHIBITED: 

•    Building, maintaining, attending or using any fire, campfire or wood stove outside,

•    All open and agricultural burning of trash and/or debris,

•    Fires in portable chimineas, charcoal BBQ grills, decorative or warming fire pits and tiki torches, 

•    Smoking outside in an area NOT void of combustible materials or the disposal of a lit cigarette butt from a moving vehicle,

•    The use of explosives or fireworks of any kind as defined pursuant to C.R.S. § 30-15-401(1)(n.7) to include the use of exploding targets and tracer ammunition, 

•    Use of a motor vehicle/ Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) outside the boundaries of an established road, motorized trail or parking in an area outside an established parking area that is void of flammable vegetation within 10 feet of the vehicle, 

•    Operating a chainsaw or other internal combustion engine WITHOUT a properly installed USDA or SAE approved spark arrestor,

•    Welding or use of acetylene torches which produce a flame outside in an area that is NOT void of all combustible materials of at least 30 feet in all directions from the operating equipment while possessing a pressurized class 2A fire extinguisher.

Violations of Stage 2 restrictions can result in a citation by law enforcement and fines and the possibility of additional charges based on the conditions of the fire and damages caused.  

Stage 2 fire restrictions will remain in effect until rescinded by the Sheriff.  

• Delta County Stage 2 Fire Restriction Order (PDF)
• Delta County Stage 2 Fire Restriction Infographic (PDF)

Order of the Sheriff – Enacting Stage 2 Fire Restrictions within Delta County

Effective 12:01 am – Friday, August 8, 2025 

WHEREAS, The Sheriff of Delta County, Colorado pursuant to C.R.S. § 30-10-512 and C.R.S. § 30-10-513 is authorized to act as fire warden of Delta County and is responsible for coordination of fire suppression efforts in case of prairie, forest, or wildland fires or wildfires occurring in unincorporated areas of the County outside the boundaries of a fire protection district or when a fire exceeds the capabilities of a fire protection district to control; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Delta County Ordinance No. 2024-02 (Delta County Open Burning and Local Fire Restriction Ordinance), the Sheriff has been authorized by the Board of County Commissioners in Delta County, Colorado to enact Stage I and Stage II fire restrictions within all or portions of unincorporated Delta County when high fire danger conditions exist and rescind those restrictions when appropriate; and

WHEREAS, the Sheriff upon consultation with Emergency Management, fire protection districts, State and Federal land and wildfire management professionals has determined Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are necessary and prudent to reduce the danger of human caused wildfires to protect residents and personal property within Delta County; and

WHEREAS, the County has not seen typical summer monsoon rains to help decrease wildfire risk and there is no relief in sight from hot, dry, windy weather conditions, and there is extremely low fuel moisture and relative humidity levels which when combined with a low availability of fire suppression resources within the region and nationally, increases the risk of rapid wildfire growth if a fire should start; 

NOW, THEREFORE it be resolved that as of Friday, August 8, 2025 at 12:01 am, Stage Two Fire Restrictions will be implemented within Delta County to include: all unincorporated areas of the county, state parks and wildfire areas and within the Town limits of any municipality within Delta County which elects by appropriate ordinance or resolution to have the provisions of Stage 2 restrictions apply within their jurisdiction. Stage 2 restrictions shall remain in effect until rescinded by order of the Sheriff.   

Please note, Stage 2 restrictions have been implemented by several other neighboring jurisdictions and others remain in Stage 1 which may cause different restrictions in different jurisdictions. It is the responsibility of each individual to know and adhere to fire restrictions in the jurisdiction where you live or are vacationing.  A complete listing of county and federal land fire restrictions can be found at: WestSlopeFireInfo.com

The following are PROHIBITED during Stage 2 Fire Restrictions: 

•    Building, maintaining, attending or using any fire, campfire or wood stove fire outside,

•    All open and agricultural burning of trash and/or debris,

•    Fires in portable chimineas, charcoal BBQ grills, wood fire fire pits and tiki torches, 

•    Smoking outside in an area NOT void of combustible materials or the disposal of a lit cigarette butt from a moving vehicle,

•    The use of explosives or fireworks of any kind as defined pursuant to C.R.S. § 30-15-401(1)(n.7) to include the use of exploding targets and tracer ammunition, 

•    Use of a motor vehicle/ Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) outside the boundaries of an established road, motorized trail or parking in an area outside an established parking area that is void of flammable vegetation within 10 feet of the vehicle, 

•    Operating a chainsaw or other internal combustion engine WITHOUT a properly installed USDA or SAE approved spark arrestor,

•    Welding or use of acetylene torches which produce a flame outside in an area that is NOT void of all combustible materials of at least 30 feet in all directions from the operating equipment while possessing a pressurized class 2A fire extinguisher.

The following activities are ALLOWED during Stage 2 Restrictions:

• Use of propane, natural gas, or pressurized liquid fuel BBQ grills and stoves, 
•  Jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel in lanterns, camp stoves and backyard fire features fueled by gas or propane when the device is properly equipped with a shut-off valve AND when used in an area at least 3 feet in diameter from any flammable material, 
•  Use of a chainsaw or other internal combustion engine WITH a USDA/SAE approved spark arrestor properly installed and functioning while in possession of an eight (8) ounce or greater chemical pressurized fire extinguisher and a rounded point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available. 
•  Responsible target practice using normal ammunition non-tracer ammunition, 
• Welding in a safe manner in an area void of combustible material within 30 feet and while possessing a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A.  

This order shall remain in effect until rescinded. 

By Order of the Sheriff, 

Mark Taylor – Delta County Sheriff’s Office 

8/7/2025

Delta County Open Burning & Local Fire Restriction Ordinance – Ordinance Number 2024-02

The Delta County Board of County Commissioners on May 7, 2024, during their normal business meeting approved the second and final reading of Ordinance 2024-02 and it was enacted effective May 7, 2024.

Highlights of Ordinance Number 2024-02

• Repealed Delta County Resolution 1989-R-017, 
• Repealed Delta County Ordinances numbered 1996-003, 2007-02, and 2012-01 which previously dealt with open burning regulations and red flag days.
• Established open/agricultural burning definitions and allowed for the implementation of restrictions on open fires and burning during severe weather conditions to include watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service. 
• Appoint the Delta County Sheriff and/or their designee with the authority to enact Stage I or Stage II fire restrictions as defined within the Ordinance within all or portions of unincorporated Delta County when high fire danger conditions exist and rescind those restrictions when appropriate. 
• Prohibits the open burning of trash. 
• Requires that anyone initiating an agricultural open burn, or open fire in Delta County to notify the Delta County Burn Line on the same day as the burn. 

Required Notice – Delta County Burn Line

No person in Delta County Shall initiate an agricultural open burn, broadcast burn, or open fire as described in Ordinance No. 2024-02 without first notifying the Delta County Emergency Communications Center via the Burn line at 970-399-2955 on that same day as the burn is conducted and relaying the required information as stated on the automated recording as to the location of any fire(s)s to be initiated. The Burn Line is accessible 24 hours a day by calling 970-399-2955 to determine the status of an Open Burn Restrictions in Delta County.  

Unlawful Activities in Delta County Related to Open Burning

Section V. Unlawful Activities

• The following activities are unlawful at all times within unincorporated Delta County:
  • Engaging in any activity prohibited when Stage I, Stage II, or Stage III fire Restrictions are in effect other than exempted per the restrictions in unincorporated Delta County.  
  • No person shall initiate an Open Fire without first notifying the Delta County Burn Line 
  • No person shall initiate an Open Fire in unincorporated areas of Delta County on a day when the Delta County Sheriff or his designee has enacted a “Red Flag/High Wind Temporary Fire Ban” 
  • The open burning of any trash, rubber, plastics, tires, asphaltic shingles, insulation, or similar dense or toxic smoke-producing substances by any person, firm, corporation, cooperative, or any other entity is prohibited. 

Open Burning that Requires a Permit from the State of Colorado via the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment

• Section VI(a): Certain open burning is allowed but requires a permit issued through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Air Pollution Control Division. These burns include but are not limited to Slash/Pile burning. 
• See Colorado Air Quality Control Commission Regulation Number 9, 5 Code Regulations Section 1001-11 and CDPHE Outdoor Burning website for further information.  
• The burning of household trash and other dense smoke-producing materials is prohibited in Delta County.  The Delta County Environmental Health Division enforces the Open Burning Regulations.

Reporting Violations

Call the 24-hour indoor burning hotline at 303-692-3280. If the State has jurisdiction, they’ll contact the suspected violator.  If local public health has jurisdiction, the state reporting line will pass along the information you report to the Health Department, and they will follow up on the complaint.

For violations of Ordinance Number 2024-02 and Agricultural Burning and out-of-control burns, please call 911. 

Definitions Under Ordinance Number 2024-02

• Red Flag/High Wind Temporary Fire Ban– A Red Flag/High Wind Temporary Fire ban is in effect any time when the National Weather Service issues any of the following watches/advisories:
  • Red Flag Warning
  • Wind Advisory
  • High Wind Watch
  • High Wind Warning
• Open Fire– As used in this Ordinance, the term “Open Fire:” means: 
  • Includes setting fire to any grass, wood, or other combustible material outside of an enclosed structure; the use of explosives or fireworks of all kinds and brands; or outdoor welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame other than in an area cleared of all flammable materials;
  • Does not include: emissions from fireplaces, fire pits, chimineas, or other wood-burning containers that have been approved for residential, recreation, or aesthetic purposes at a residence or business; campfire outside a structure or living accommodation contained by a fireplace, pit, or permanent grate used for cooking, personal warmth, personal recreation, ceremonial or aesthetic purposes or a campfire that uses charcoal, natural gas, propane or another fuel or fires within a residential or commercial fireplace. 
• Agricultural Open Burning – Colorado defines Agricultural Open Burning as: “open burning of cover vegetation for the purpose of preparing the soil for crop production, weed control, maintenance of water conveyance structures related to agricultural operations and other agricultural cultivation purposes” [Colorado Air Regulation 9] 

Violations of Ordinance Number 2024-02

This Ordinance shall be enforced by the Delta County Sheriff or their designee. Pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute Section 30-15-402(1), any person who violates any provision of this Ordinance shall be guilty of a civil infraction and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000 for each separate violation.  Each violation shall be deemed separate and distinct from any other violation and punishable as a separate offense. 

• First Violation: $50 fine 
• Second violation: $250 fine 
• Third violation: $500 fine 
• Subsequent Violations: $1,000 fine

The penalty assessment procedure provided in Colorado Revised Statutes § 16-2-201 is authorized to be followed by any law enforcement officer for such violation(s). The notice shall be a summons and complaint, identify the alleged offender, specify the offense and applicable fine, and require that the alleged offender pay the fine or appear to answer the charge at a specified time and place.