Last Friday the U.S. Forest Service threw the brakes on open flames across the Pike-San Isabel National Forests and the Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, placing every district under Stage 1 fire restrictions through Aug. 1. The order tightens rules on campfires, smoking and any activity that might throw sparks, and it could temporarily trim back some recreation services and dispersed camping options as managers focus on cutting down human-caused ignitions.
Order and scope
According to the U.S. Forest Service, the restrictions are laid out in Forest Order 02-12-00-26-07 and went into effect last Friday (March 27). The Stage 1 order covers all districts on the Pike-San Isabel National Forests, along with the Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, and the agency has posted maps outlining the affected areas.
What the order bans
As detailed by Chaffee County Fire, Forest Order 02-12-00-26-07 spells out a pretty clear set of “don’ts.” Building, maintaining or using an open campfire is off-limits except in permanent metal or concrete fire pits at developed recreation sites. Portable liquid- or gas-fueled stoves and devices are allowed, but only in cleared areas where vegetation will not catch a stray spark.
Smoking is limited to enclosed vehicles, buildings or areas cleared of flammable material. The order also clamps down on explosives and on welding or torch operations unless they meet specific exemption criteria. The document includes detailed maps as well as a list of exceptions for permitted uses and official duties, so anyone planning potentially risky work is advised to check the fine print.
Local response
Local agencies moved quickly to get the word out. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office shared the notice on Facebook, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, and the Jefferson-Como Fire Protection District posted its own advisory confirming that Stage 1 restrictions are now in effect. Other county fire districts across the PSICC footprint have followed suit with local maps and guidance that track the federal order.
What visitors need to know
For visitors and campers, the rules boil down to this: if there is not a permanent metal or concrete fire ring, you should not be lighting a campfire. Smoking is essentially confined to vehicles and cleared areas, and anything that throws sparks or heat outside those boundaries is likely to be a problem.
The Forest Service recommends checking the U.S. Forest Service PSICC fire information and interactive map, or calling the Pueblo Interagency Dispatch Center at 719-553-1600, for the latest closures, updates and detailed guidance before you head out.
Penalties and enforcement
Violating the Forest Service order is not just bad form; it is also expensive. According to Chaffee County Fire, the order cites a Class B misdemeanor with potential fines of up to $5,000 for individuals and up to $10,000 for organizations, and/or up to six months in jail. Local law enforcement and forest officers are authorized to issue citations and will enforce the restrictions where needed.
With fire season edging earlier each year, managers are asking recreationists to plan, double-check conditions and err on the side of caution. Before loading up the car, check official agency pages, rethink anything in your gear that could start a blaze, and keep those campfire stories limited to places where the fire ring is bolted to the ground.
