By Shannon Lukens.
The City of Steamboat Springs and Routt County are going into Stage 1 Fire Restrictions just after midnight tonight. (12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 9)
Fire Danger is rated Very High right now with restrictions in Moffat, Routt, and Rio Blanco counties. The Fire Danger rating is High in Jackson and Grand Counties.
Stage 1 means campfires only in designated campgrounds or picnic areas. Recreational fires at a private residence are allowed with a Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue permit.
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreational site, or while stopped in an area of at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material is prohibited under Stage I.
Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arresting device is prohibited. In addition, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher is required to be with the operator and additional supplies should be readily available for use.
Press Release from the City of Steamboat Springs; July 8, 2025.
Steamboat Springs Enacts Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Tomorrow
City Joins Routt County At Heightened Level on Wednesday, July 9
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-July 8, 2025-The City of Steamboat Springs will implement Stage 1 Fire Restrictions starting just after midnight (12:01am), Wednesday, July 9, 2025, and these restrictions will remain in effect until rescinded or expanded. The city joins Routt County, which is also moving to Stage 1 at the same time.
“Conditions have dried out rapidly, and temperatures are well above normal for this time of year,” said Chuck Cerasoli, Fire Chief for Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue (SSFR). “Even without human activity, fire danger is already very high. We’re urging everyone to be extremely cautious—any wildland fire will place a serious strain on local resources.”
The Fire Danger Rating Areas across Northwest Colorado are Very High for Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt and High for Jackson and Grand Counties. More than 20 counties across the state have enacted fire restrictions.
Under Stage 1, certain activities are prohibited including use of any campfire, warming fire, or charcoal grill except in designated campgrounds, picnic areas or developed recreational sites. Recreational fires at private residences are permitted with a valid SSFR permit during Stage I.
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreational site, or while stopped in an area of at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material is prohibited under Stage I.
Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arresting device is prohibited. In addition, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher is required to be with the operator and additional supplies should be readily available for use.
“If conditions continue on this trajectory, I wouldn’t be surprised to see additional restrictions in the near future,” continued Cerasoli. “As we’ve seen, one spark can get out of hand and grow quickly which is something no one wants to see.”
Please review the Stage I Fire Restrictions for permitted and prohibited activities and contact Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue with questions at 970-879-7170.
-WeServeTheCity-
Press Release from Routt County; July 8, 2025.
Routt County Commissioners Enact Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
Routt County, CO, July 8, 2025 – Pursuant to Ordinance No. 2013-002, an ordinance to restrict fires in unincorporated portions of Routt County during periods of high fire danger, the Routt County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to enact Stage 1 Fire Restriction effective at 12:01 am, July 9, 2025, and will remain in effect until rescinded.
Fire restrictions are considered only when very high or extreme fire danger exists and is predicted to persist. This determination is based upon current conditions, long-term weather forecasts, and upon the heavy, dry fuel loading which creates the potential for uncontrollable fires.
Wildfires can affect entire communities by destroying homes and natural habitat and by killing wildlife, as well as creating widespread poor air quality, which can cause problems for people outdoors, particularly those with respiratory ailments. People must take all necessary safety precautions in wildlands and forests.
According to Sheriff Doug Scherar, “we meet 6 of the 8 criteria in Zone Two and 4 of the 8 in Zone Three, it is time to put restrictions in place.” The restrictions will remain in effect until officials determine that conditions have changed sufficiently to reduce the risk of a human-caused wildfire. Rescinding the restrictions will be considered when the critical elements diminish.
“Federal, state, and local partners throughout the region study and discuss weekly several factors to determine when restrictions are recommended or necessary, such as moisture content of the fuels, current and forecasted weather conditions, and availability of suppression resources throughout the region. These factors and the associated criteria that are measured provide a more scientific and accurate process for determining when fire restrictions are necessary.” DeMorat noted that while not every agency in the region will enter fire restrictions together, they work to present a cohesive, coordinated approach to the action, ensuring geographic predictability across federal, state, county, and other unincorporated lands.
Should you have any questions, please call your Fire Protection District Chief or the Routt County Office of Emergency Management at 970.870.5551.
Are you signed up for Routt County Alerts? This system allows us to contact you directly as the situation progresses. Sign up now at RouttCountyAlerts.com.
- North Routt Fire Protection District – Matt Mathisen, 970.879.6064
- Oak Creek Fire Protection District – Kenyon Shephard, 970.736.8104
- Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue – Chuck Cerasoli, 970.879.7170
- West Routt Fire Protection District – Trevor Guire, 970.276.3511
- Yampa Fire Protection District – Machia ‘Ky’ Cox, 970.846.2169
