08/12/2025
Additional Fire Restrictions on the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests
Fort Collins, Colo. (August 12, 2025) – Due to current conditions, the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests have enacted Stage 1 fire restrictions across National Forest lands in Boulder, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Jefferson and Larimer counties beginning today, Tuesday, August 12, 2025. This decision was made in collaboration with sheriff offices, local fire districts and other federal land managers. Stage 1 fire restrictions limit activities with a high potential of starting wildfires, including campfires. The purpose of these restrictions is to protect public health, safety, and natural resources by preventing wildfires. The western portion of the forest in Grand County was already under Stage 1 restrictions.
During Stage 1 fire restrictions, open fires are only permitted within Forest Service installed and maintained fire rings and picnic grills within highly developed recreation areas and campgrounds that are maintained by a host. In areas where campfires are permitted, visitors should remember to follow proper fire maintenance guidelines by never leaving a campfire unattended and fully extinguishing the campfire with large amounts of water until all of the coals are out cold. In other areas of the National Forests, visitors may use stoves and heating devices solely fueled by liquid or gas and featuring an on/off switch. Whether starting a campfire in a developed site, or using an approved heating device, visitors should never leave a fire unattended.
Violation of Stage 1 fire restrictions can result in a maximum fine of $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.
Be sure to visit the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland’s Alerts page to read the fire restrictions orders and find other useful information to help plan your trip.
Allowed Activities Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
Open fires contained in permanently constructed fire pits or fire grates that the Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed campgrounds and picnic areas. Please see the Developed Recreation Sites list that indicates where fires are permitted.
Liquid or gas fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices with on/off switches on surfaces cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device.
A fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least five feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a ¼ inch or less used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device.
Developed recreation sites where open fires are permitted on the Clear Creek, Boulder & Canyon Lakes Ranger Districts
Clear Creek Ranger District (Sites near Georgetown, Idaho Springs, Black Hawk)
Clear Creek Picnic Site
Clear Lake Campground
Cold Springs Campground
Columbine Campground
Echo Lake Campground
Guanella Pass Campground
Pickle Gulch Group Campground
Pickle Gulch Group Picnic Site
West Chicago Creek Campground
Boulder Ranger District (Sites near Nederland, Ward, Allenspark)
Arickaree Picnic Site
Brainard Lake Day Use Picnic Site
Camp Dick Campground
Kelly Dahl Campground
Meeker Park Campground
Mitchell Creek Picnic Site
Niwot Trailhead
Olive Ridge Campground
Pawnee Campground
Peaceful Valley Campground
Rainbow Lakes Campground
Red Rock Lake Fishing Site
Canyon Lakes Ranger District (Sites near Estes, Poudre Canyon, Red Feather)
Ansel Watrous Campground
Aspen Glen Campground
Bellaire Lake Campground
Bellaire Lake Picnic Site
Big Bend Campground
Big South Campground
Browns Park Campground
Chambers Lake Campground
Chambers Lake Day Use Picnic Site
Chambers Lake Boating Site
Dowdy Lake Campground
Dowdy Lake Day Use Picnic Site
Dutch George Campground
Grandview Campground
Kelly Flats Campground
Long Draw Campground
Lower Narrows Campground
Mount McConnell Trailhead
Mountain Park Campground
Mountain Park Group Campground
Mountain Park Day Use Picnic Site
North Fork Poudre Campground
Sleeping Elephant Campground
Stove Prairie Landing Campground
Tom Bennett Campground
Tunnel Campground
Upper Narrows Campground
West Lake Campground
West Lake Day Use Picnic Site
