ORDER OF THE SHERIFF – San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office – Colorado
FIRE PREVENTION ORDER FOR STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS
WHEREAS, the Sheriff of San Miguel County, Colorado, has the power to ban open fires
to a degree and in a manner they deem necessary to reduce the danger of wildfires within
those portions of the unincorporated areas of San Miguel County where the danger of forest
or grass fires is found to be high based on competent evidence; and
WHEREAS, the Sheriff of San Miguel County, Colorado, has determined that the current
danger of forest or grass fires in all of unincorporated San Miguel County is high at this time,
and fire restrictions are necessary and appropriate in all unincorporated San Miguel County
to reduce the danger of wildfires in the County.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is resolved that as of June 18, 2026 at 12:01 a.m., Stage One fire
restrictions will be in place in all of unincorporated San Miguel County until further notice
prohibiting the following:
Stage I 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 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 acts are always prohibited on federally managed lands:
• The use of fireworks and other incendiary devices
• Leaving fires unattended or unextinguished.
This Order supersedes the previous Order filed on June 5, 2026 and shall remain in effect from
June 18, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. until rescinded.
By Order of the Sheriff,
Dan Covault
