Red Flag Warning Fire Ban

Red Flag Warnings are issued by the National Weather Service when there is extreme fire danger due to high winds, low relative humidity, and critically dry fuels (vegetation, brush, trees). When the NWS issues a Red Flag Warning for any portion of Clear Creek County, the entire county will go into a temporary Stage 1 Fire Ban. 

During a Red Flag Warning issued for any part of Clear Creek County, the entire county will be under a temporary Stage 1 Fire Ban as follows:

• The temporary Stage 1 Fire Ban will be in effect for the same time the Red Flag Warning is in effect. For example, if the Red Flag Warning is issued for 11am - 6pm, the Stage 1 Fire Ban will be in effect from 11am - 6pm.
• Please see the Stage 1 Fire Ban declaration and/or description below for details of activities that are prohibited when any part of Clear Creek County is in a Red Flag Warning.

Red Flag Warning Fire Ban Declarations

• Feb 24, 2026 - Effective 10am - 5pm
• March 21, 2026 - Effective 11am-10pm

Stage 1 Fire Ban

Pursuant to the Annual Operating Plan regarding the implementation of Fire Restrictions and Fire Bans; and due to the continuing high fire danger conditions within Clear Creek County, the following activities are prohibited during a Stage 1 Ban:

1. Igniting, building, maintaining, attending or using any open fire as defined in Ordinance No. 16, or using a fire, including charcoal grills, and barbeques, coal and wood burning stoves and sheepherder's stoves. 

2. Sale, possessing, discharging or using any type of fireworks or other pyrotechnic device to include sparklers. This order does not differentiate between lawful use or careless/negligent use of fireworks, but prohibits all fireworks activity and use on public lands as identified above, except municipal-conducted fireworks shows with liability insurance, fire mitigation in preparation and fire suppression on scene during and as needed after the display. This order as it relates to fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices shall expire when this ban is lifted. 

3. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, trailer, or building.

4. All other outdoor spark or flame producing activities.

5. Shooting (discharging of firearms of any kind) IS PROHIBITED EXCEPT when engaging in legal hunting activities with a valid hunting license. 

"Open Fire" is defined in Clear Creek County Ordinance No. 16 as: "Any fire outdoors for any purpose, including, but not limited to, bonfires, campfires, charcoal or wood barbeques; lighting off fireworks of any kind, trash or rubbish burning, smoking and lawn, weed, ditch or crop burning"; but excludes "propane or natural gas barbeque or liquid fuel stove if it is attended at all times and is in a fully enclosed, covered barbeque grill or is contained within a liquid fuel stove."

NOTE: Burn permits issued and not executed prior to a Temporary Stage 1 Fire Ban shall not be authorized unless approved by the issuing agency on the day of execution.

Exemptions approved under these Temporary Fire Restrictions:

• Persons with a valid written permit from the Sheriff or appropriate Fire Authority which specifically authorizes the prohibited act. 
• Any federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty. 
• Persons using pressurized liquid or gas devices (stoves, grills or lanterns) with shut-off valves in an area at least three feet away from any flammable materials. 
• Residents, owners or lessees within the areas above who are using a fire in a permanent dwelling with an effective and properly installed USDA - or SAE - approved spark arrestor. 
• Charcoal grill fires at private residences. 
• Open fires required in religious ceremonies and for which a valid written permit has been granted in advance by the local Fire Department or District.

Individuals operating under any of the above exemptions shall take adequate measures to prevent uncontrolled fires. Measures include, but are not limited to:

1. Containers of adequate water or dry soil nearby; and/or
2. Shovels, fire extinguishers, or other extinguishing agents nearby and/or
3. Coordination with the local Fire Department or District to be on scene or standby during an activity.

ENFORCEMENT

Violators may be charged with 4^th degree Arson, and/or Reckless Endangerment, or unlawful conduct on public or private property, or as provided in Clear Creek County Ordinance No. 16, as determined by the Sheriff.

Stage 2 Fire Ban

Pursuant to the Annual Operating Plan regarding the implementation of Fire Restrictions and Fire Bans; and due to the continuing high fire danger conditions within Clear Creek County, the following activities are prohibited pursuant to this Stage 2 Fire Ban: 

1. Building, maintaining, attending or using any Open Fire as defined in Ordinance No. 16. 

“Open Fire” is defined in Clear Creek County Ordinance No. 16 as: “Any fire outdoors for any purpose, including, but not limited to, bonfires, campfires, charcoal or wood barbeques; lighting off fireworks of any kind, trash or rubbish burning, smoking and lawn, weed, ditch or crop burning”; but excludes “propane or natural gas barbeque or liquid fuel stove if it is attended at all times and is in a fully enclosed, covered barbeque grill or is contained within a liquid fuel stove.” 

2. Sale, possessing, discharging or using any type of fireworks or other pyrotechnic device, including sparklers.  

3. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or while stopped in an area of at least six feet diameter that is barren or cleared of all combustible material. 

4. Possessing or using a motor vehicle, or off-highway vehicle (OHV) not otherwise classified as a motor vehicle, off roads, EXCEPT when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway or driveway serving private property; and, EXCEPT for parking overnight in Forest Service developed campgrounds and trailheads; no off road (cross-country travel) of any kind. 

5. All other outdoor spark- or flame-producing activities.

6. Shooting (discharging of firearms of any kind), EXCEPT while hunting pursuant to a valid hunting license, as defined in C.R.S. § 33-1-102(25.5) and (27), and C.R.S. § 33-4-102.  

7. Operating a chain saw without having (a) a USDA or SAE approved spark arresting device properly installed and in proper working order, (b) an extinguishing source, water, pressurized water extinguisher, or a proper chemical pressurized extinguisher, large enough to handle nearby hazards, and (c) at least one large-size, pointed shovel with an overall length of at least thirty-six inches, readily available for quick use. 

8. Operating welding and cutting torch appliances, except within an area that is barren or cleared of all combustible material at least 30 feet in all directions from the operating equipment. 

WELDING AND CUTTING TORCH APPLIANCES: Gas cylinder mixtures, electric and/or portable powered welders and cutting appliances which produce heat, flame, sparks, molten metal slag, etc.  

NOTE: Burn permits issued and not executed prior to a Temporary Stage 2 Fire Ban shall not be authorized unless approved by the issuing agency on the day of execution. 

EXEMPTIONS APPROVED UNDER THIS TEMPORARY STAGE 2 FIRE BAN

• Persons with a valid written permit from the Sheriff or appropriate Fire Authority which specifically authorizes the prohibited act. 
• Any federal, State, or local law enforcement or fire officer acting in the performance of an official duty. 
• Open fires required in religious ceremonies and for which a valid written permit has been granted in advance by the local Fire Authority or District.

Individuals operating under any of the above exemptions shall take adequate measures to prevent uncontrolled fires. Measures include, but are not limited to:

1. Containers of adequate water or dry soil nearby; and/or
2. Shovels, fire extinguishers, or other extinguishing agents nearby; and/or
3. Coordination with the local Fire Department or District to be on scene or standby during an activity.

ENFORCEMENT

Violators may be charged with Arson, Reckless Endangerment or other applicable crimes; and/or as provided in Clear Creek County Ordinance No. 16.