Fire rules around Durango change with who owns the ground you are standing on. County land, city streets and national forest each have their own rulebook, and each can be at a different stage on the same afternoon. That surprises people who light a campfire at home and then drive up to the trailhead.
Who decides La Plata County fire restrictions?
The County Sheriff does, at the request of the fire chiefs. The county's fire restrictions page says the Sheriff may enact restrictions "if hot, dry conditions warrant." Its July 24 release says the Sheriff acted at the request of the Fire Chiefs of La Plata County. The restrictions stay in place until the Sheriff and the local fire district chiefs agree the danger has dropped significantly.
Where the county rules reach:
- Covered: unincorporated La Plata County and county-owned land
- Not covered: the City of Durango, private land inside the towns of Bayfield and Ignacio, and federal and tribal land, which each follow their own rules
Are there fire restrictions in La Plata County right now?
No. On Oct. 22, 2026, the county page read: "La Plata County currently has no fire restrictions." Earlier this year the county moved from Stage II to Stage I on July 24, 2026, after rain and monsoon moisture helped. That release said the region remained in long-term drought, so the stages can return.
What does Stage 1 ban in La Plata County?
When Stage I is on, the county's release lists these banned acts in unincorporated areas:
- Open burning and burn barrels, except agricultural burning with 24 hours' notice to the fire chief or Sheriff
- Any fire outside a permanent metal or concrete pit at a developed recreation site, 25 feet from anything flammable
- Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle, trailer or building, at a developed recreation site, or in a spot cleared of flammable growth at least 3 feet across
- Welding or torch work without a 10-foot cleared area and a fire extinguisher
- Fireworks, explosives and model rockets
- Engines without a working spark arrester
Grills fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned off are allowed in a spot cleared of flammable material within three feet. Enclosed metal stoves with a chimney at least five feet long and a spark screen are allowed with 10 feet cleared. Indoor fireplaces with approved spark arresters are fine. Floating sky lanterns and fire balloons are banned all year under Ordinance 2021-03, restrictions or not.
What are the City of Durango's fire rules?
Inside the city, the rules do not wait for a stage. The City of Durango's fire restrictions page says its Stage 1 is "always in effect" under city code, which means:
- Open burning is prohibited
- Fireworks are banned under Section 8-2
- Smoking is barred in outdoor public places such as bus stops, city parks, the Animas River Trail and city-owned open space
The city then lists two higher stages:
- Stage 2: adds limits on campfires and charcoal grills, chainsaws, welding and engines without spark arresters
- Stage 3: adds a ban on fires of any type, closes city trails and open space to public entry, stops off-road motor vehicles, and includes operation of all trains
One thing to ask about. The city's table lists recreational fires among Stage 1 prohibited actions. Durango Fire & Rescue's burn permit page says a small, attended recreational, cooking or warming fire needs no permit. It defines small as 3 feet across and 2 feet high, 25 feet from structures. The two pages do not line up on their face, so call Durango Fire & Rescue before you light a backyard fire.
Do I need a burn permit?
Outside the city, burn piles do need a permit from Durango Fire & Rescue. The district limits piles to 4 feet by 4 feet, natural vegetation under 6 inches thick, and 50 feet from any structure. Larger burns also need a State of Colorado smoke permit. The district handles applications online through OpenGov, and permits renew every year. Burning must be logged before you light.
Permits do not survive bad weather. Durango Fire & Rescue says its permits are suspended whenever La Plata County has any fire restrictions in place, and during a Red Flag Warning or High Wind Advisory. Agricultural burns need no permit but must be logged. The state bans burning treated wood, trash, tires, plastic and construction debris, and barrels or incinerators.
How do I stay informed?
Three habits help:
- Sign up for LPC Alerts, the county's emergency notification system, which sends calls, texts and email
- If you used the older notification system, register again, because the county says the new one does not carry your account over
- Read our guide to wildfire preparedness in Durango before the next dry spell