Wildfire Information

Current Fires

To Report a Wildfire, Call 9-1-1

DO NOT PUT YOURSELF IN DANGER TO PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION!  Try to provide the following information if it is available: location (as specific as possible), smoke color, smoke direction, size of fire area (if possible), flame height (if possible).

General Fire Reminders

• Gunnison County Burn Ordinance (PDF) requires persons igniting controlled burns or open fires (excludes recreational campfires) in unincorporated parts of the county to contact the Gunnison Communications Center at 970-641-8000 before beginning.
• Open fires are not permitted in the town or city limits of Crested Butte and Gunnison.
• In Mt. Crested Butte open fires are only permitted in puts, barrels, or similar containers.
• Clear flammable material away from campfires.
• Before lighting a fire check the current fire restriction information.
• Put out your campfire with water before you leave and make sure the ashes are cool to the touch.
• Never leave a campfire unattended for any reason.
• Contain campfires within existing fire rings or rock structures.
• YOUR campfire is YOUR responsibility.
• Fireworks are not allowed on any federal lands.
• Review the Gunnison County Burn Ordinance (PDF).
• View the videos below for a better understanding of the Fire Restriction Stages.

Red Flag Warning

A Red Flag Warning means no open burning. Please refer to Ordinance #16: An Ordinance Authorizing the Identification of "Red Flag" Fire Days (PDF).

For information on Red Flag Warnings check the National Weather Service forecast page for the Gunnison area. If a Red Flag Warning is in effect it will be listed under Hazardous Weather Outlook on the Gunnison area forecast page. Red Flag Warning information may also be obtained by calling the following:

• Gunnison Regional Communications Center - (970) 641-8200 - Option 1
• Montrose Interagency Dispatch Center - (970) 249-1010

Fireworks

Absolutely no fireworks of any type are permitted on Federal or State lands, including;

• BLM Lands
• Division of Wildlife Owned Lands
• National Forests & Parks
• State Forests & Parks
• State Wildlife Areas

In unincorporated Gunnison County, the towns of Crested Butte, Mt. Crested Butte, and the City of Gunnison, fireworks that leave the ground or explode are prohibited.

Fire officials from local, State, and Federal Agencies meet regularly to review the situation in Gunnison County and will initiate appropriate measures when and if necessary. For additional information contact the appropriate agency.

Take Precautions

It is normally very dry in the Gunnison Basin and extreme care should be exercised when using fire anywhere in the County, whether for burning weeds, slash piles, or for camping. Make sure you have the appropriate fire suppression tools and supplies readily available when starting a fire. Also, ensure that you have in place a suitable buffer between a fire and potential combustibles. Finally, make sure you use it in a safe, responsible manner.

Fire Restriction & Wildfire Information Websites:

• West Slope Fire Information
• Colorado Fire Bans & Restrictions
• Colorado Map Restrictions (Interactive Map, click on shaded areas for more information)
• Colorado DFPC Current Wildfires (Interactive Map - click on blue markers for more information)
• Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control (DFPC)
• Inciweb (National)
• Colorado Fire Bans & Current Fires (COEmergency.com - Compiled Information)
• Live Fire Web App
• West Region Wildfire Council
• Montrose Inter-agency Fire Management Unit
• Guidance for Health & Home Safety (PDF)
• Guidance for Cleanup of Damaged/Destroyed Buildings