The skies over Estes Park have been filled with smoke, and the air quality has been poor due to several fires on Colorado’s western slope, including the Lee, Elk, and Twelve Fires west and south of Steamboat Springs, and the Windy Gap Fire near Granby, involving some 75,000 acres.

Particulates in the air can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, and those with asthma and other respiratory conditions are especially susceptible to the adverse effects of poor air quality. People with breathing issues have been advised to stay indoors, wear a filtering mask, and run their air conditioners.

According to an email from Stacey Sutherland, the Estes Valley Fire Protection District interim fire chief, “due to continued dry conditions, the danger of wildland fire, forest, and grass fires is still high in the Estes Valley, and to stay consistent with the Stage 1 Restrictions in unincorporated Larimer County above 6000’ and Rocky Mountain National Park, we are enacting the following: Pursuant to International Fire Code Section 307.1.1, I hereby issue an open burning RESTRICTION (Stage 1) within the Estes Valley Fire Protection District effective 13:00, Aug.7, 2025.”

The EVFPD recommends that people living in the Estes Valley learn about preparing their property for the risk of wildfire and be aware of the current fire restrictions.

The Larimer County Commissioners today voted unanimously to adopt fire restrictions in unincorporated Larimer County. Due to above-normal temperatures, lightning strikes, and windy, dry conditions, the danger of wildfires, forest fires, and grass fires is great.

The restrictions on open fires in the unincorporated portions of Larimer County will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on September 2, 2025.

Restrictions on the use of fireworks, combustible devices, public fireworks displays, and incendiary devices are also in effect.

This is not a fire ban, and the restriction only applies to unincorporated Larimer County over 6,000 feet.

Larimer County has implemented a zoned approach to restrictions to address fire risk while still accounting for different climate areas. The county is divided into three zones: below 6,000 feet, 6,000–9,000 feet, and above 9,000 feet.

To view a real-time, interactive map of the restriction area, click here.

Current restrictions include:

• uncontained open fires
• smoking in the open is prohibited, including on trails, parks, and open spaces.
• fireworks or firework displays
• incendiary devices, including sky lanterns, exploding ammunition, exploding targets, and tracer ammunition
• welding

What is allowed:

• fireplaces or wood stoves located inside a residence
• gas-fueled fires, including grills and camping stoves
• camping and cooking fires in developed camping areas
• fires in permanently constructed masonry fire pits

Any person who knowingly violates the restrictions can be fined. Click here to read the Ordinance for the Regulation of Open Burning in Unincorporated Larimer County.

EVV Emergency Information Directory

The Estes Valley Voice’s Emergency Information Directory can always be found on our website’s homepage.

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