Colorado’s low humidity has perks, but can create dry, dangerous fire conditions.
Tips & Resources for Colorado Travelers to Help Prevent Wildfires & Protect Our Great Outdoors
- Keep campfires small and manageable.
- Never let a fire burn unattended.
- Properly maintain and watch campfires.
- Do not build a fire at a site in hazardous, windy or dry conditions. Check to see if campfires are permitted.
- Do not build a fire if the campground, area or event rules prohibit campfires. Check with the campground or forest representative.
- Use an existing fire ring or fire pit. If there is not an existing fire pit, and pits are allowed, look for a site that is at least 15 feet away from tent walls, shrubs, trees or other flammable objects. Also beware of low-hanging branches overhead.
- Supervise children and pets when they are near fire.
- Never cut live trees or branches for fires.
- Fire restrictions and bans are set by local jurisdictions and by individual forest agencies. Check with the local sheriff's office, fire department or the federal forest agency before lighting a campfire this summer.
- If you think it isn't safe enough to light a campfire, choose to be safe and not start one.
- Properly extinguish and dispose of cigarettes.
- When putting out a fire, water it until you can handle the embers.
Extinguish Your Campfire Properly by Following These Steps From Smokey Bear & US Forest Service
- Allow the wood to burn completely to ash, if possible.
- Pour lots of water on the fire — drown all the embers, not just the red ones.
- Pour until hissing sound stops.
- Stir the campfire ashes and embers with a shovel.
- Scrape the sticks and logs to remove any embers.
- Stir and make sure everything is wet and they are cold to the touch.
- If you do not have water, use dirt. Mix enough dirt or sand with the embers. Continue adding and stirring until all material is cool. Remember: Do not bury the fire, as the fire will continue to smolder and could catch roots on fire that will eventually get to the surface and start a wildfire.
A map of fire restrictions and agency contacts is available here.