Delta County Downgrades to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions – Effective September 5th
September 4, 2025 – Delta, CO
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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 or his designee 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, Delta County remains in drought conditions with elevated temperatures and low fuel
moisture levels but is starting to see cooler evening temperatures, higher humidity levels in the
morning and evening hours, stabilization in the number of fire response assets in the State and
Region and storms bringing rain to the region;
WHEREAS, upon consultation with Emergency Management, fire protection districts, State and Federal
land and wildfire management professionals, the recommendation is for jurisdictions to downgrade
from Stage 2 to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions to allow for more recreational activities while leaving
precautions in place to minimize the risk of human-caused wildfires;
NOW, THEREFORE it be resolved that as of Friday, September 5, 2025 at 12:01 am, Stage 2 Fire
Restrictions will be downgraded to Stage 1 Restrictions 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 Delta County Fire Restrictions apply within their jurisdiction. Stage 1
restrictions shall remain in effect until rescinded by order of the Sheriff.
Residents should note that Stage 1 restrictions may vary from County to County and differ on Bureau
of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service lands vs on private property. 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 1 Fire Restrictions:
• Bonfires or campfires in rock rings on the ground and/or open burn pits;
• Building of an open fire including agricultural burning of fields, fence rows, ditches, piles,
slash or wildland broadcast burning;
• Burning of trash or debris;
• Smoking in areas that are NOT barren or cleared of flammable materials at least three (3) feet
in diameter;
• 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 or tracer ammunition.
• Use of 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 near combustible material without a
pressurized class 2A fire extinguisher.
The following activities are ALLOWED during Stage 1 Restrictions:
• Fires within a permanent fire pit/ring or charcoal, wood or pellet BBQ grill at a private
residence, or within a developed recreational site, such as a campground or picnic area, that is
completely void of combustible material on the ground.
• Use of a fully enclosed (sheepherder type) stove with a ¼” spark arrester type screen properly
installed.
• Use of residential fire features such as chiminea, tiki torches or gas fire pits when supervised
by a responsible adult.
• Use of liquid or gas fueled stoves, lanterns and heating devices with a controlled flame and a
shut-off valve.
• 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 ten (10) 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 Undersheriff,
Undersheriff Quinn Archibeque – Delta County Sheriff’s Office
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 or his designee 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, Delta County remains in drought conditions with elevated temperatures and low fuel
moisture levels but is starting to see cooler evening temperatures, higher humidity levels in the
morning and evening hours, stabilization in the number of fire response assets in the State and
Region and storms bringing rain to the region;
WHEREAS, upon consultation with Emergency Management, fire protection districts, State and Federal
land and wildfire management professionals, the recommendation is for jurisdictions to downgrade
from Stage 2 to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions to allow for more recreational activities while leaving
precautions in place to minimize the risk of human-caused wildfires;
NOW, THEREFORE it be resolved that as of Friday, September 5, 2025 at 12:01 am, Stage 2 Fire
Restrictions will be downgraded to Stage 1 Restrictions 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 Delta County Fire Restrictions apply within their jurisdiction. Stage 1
restrictions shall remain in effect until rescinded by order of the Sheriff.
Residents should note that Stage 1 restrictions may vary from County to County and differ on Bureau
of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service lands vs on private property. 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 1 Fire Restrictions:
• Bonfires or campfires in rock rings on the ground and/or open burn pits;
• Building of an open fire including agricultural burning of fields, fence rows, ditches, piles,
slash or wildland broadcast burning;
• Burning of trash or debris;
• Smoking in areas that are NOT barren or cleared of flammable materials at least three (3) feet
in diameter;
• 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 or tracer ammunition.
• Use of 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 near combustible material without a
pressurized class 2A fire extinguisher.
The following activities are ALLOWED during Stage 1 Restrictions:
• Fires within a permanent fire pit/ring or charcoal, wood or pellet BBQ grill at a private
residence, or within a developed recreational site, such as a campground or picnic area, that is
completely void of combustible material on the ground.
• Use of a fully enclosed (sheepherder type) stove with a ¼” spark arrester type screen properly
installed.
• Use of residential fire features such as chiminea, tiki torches or gas fire pits when supervised
by a responsible adult.
• Use of liquid or gas fueled stoves, lanterns and heating devices with a controlled flame and a
shut-off valve.
• 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 ten (10) 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 Undersheriff,
Undersheriff Quinn Archibeque – Delta County Sheriff’s Office
