There are currently no Burn Restrictions in Custer County
| Stage/Level | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Red Flag Day |
| Campfires | No | No | No | No |
| Campfire in developed areas (designated fire rings) | Yes* | No | No | No |
| Burning inTrash Barrel | No | No | No | No |
| Open Fire in undeveloped area | No | No | No | No |
| Open fire in developed area | Yes | No | No | No |
| Agricultural Burn | Yes* | Yes* | Yes* | No |
| Slash Burn | No | No | No | No |
| In-door stoves (wood, coal, pellet) with NFPA spark arrestor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Welding, grinding, use of torches without water supply/fire extinguisher, and a spotter. | No | No | No | No |
| Welding, grinding, use of torches with water supply/fire extinguisher, and a spotter. | Yes** | Yes** | Yes** | Yes** |
| Charcoal Grills | No | No | No | No |
| Propane grill/fire and pellet grill in developed area with water | Yes** | Yes** | Yes** | Yes** |
| Smoking inside a vehicle, building, or outside on a hard surfaced area free of flammables | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Smoking outside a vehicle, building, or outside off of a hard surfaced area free of flammables | No | No | No | No |
| Operating any outdoor equipment or machinery with an internal combustion engines (ATVs, UTVs, Chainsaws, etc.) in undeveloped areas UNLESS equipment has a working spark arrestor. | No | No | No | No |
Key:
*Allowed, but not advised.
**Use with greater discretion
Open Fire– Any outdoor fire, including, but not limited to, bonfires, campfires, warning fires, charcoal grill fires, fires in wood-burning stoves, the use of explosives, outdoor welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame other than in an area cleared of flammable materials, fireworks, of all kinds of brands, burn barrels, the outdoor burning of trash and debris. No permit is required for open fires of these types.
Open Burning– The intentional ignition of unwanted fuels, in place or collected, for the purpose of eliminating those fuels based on methods defined in the Open Burn Plan and permit process.
Agricultural Open Burning-The burning of cover vegetation for the purpose of preparing the soil for crop production, weed control, maintenance of water conveyance structures related to agricultural operations, and other agricultural cultivation purposes. The open burning of animal parts or carcasses is NOT agricultural open burning, nor is the open burning of household trash, wood, and yard debris on agricultural land.
Developed Area– a camping location (site) with a designated fixed/permanent structure such as a metal fire ring with grate for campfires and cooking or totally contained within a fireproof container. Also a maintained cleared space around it away from tents vehicles and parking areas.
Red Flag-No person shall initiate or continue an open fire in all areas of Custer County on a day identified by the National Weather Service as a Red Flag Warning” period. Stage II restrictions shall be in place during Red Flag Periods.
Click here for downloadable PDF version of the above table.
Wildfire Mitigation
The Colorado State Forest Service has some great information on their website regarding wildfire mitigation here: Wildfire Mitigation- CSFS
Mitigation Consults- currently closed
If you would like to schedule a mitigation consult for your property with Wet Mountain Fire Protection District please check back in the future.
Burn Permit Information
Burn Permit application forms can be obtained by emailing wmfpdclerk@gmail.com or by visiting the Wet Mountain Fire Protection District office located at
215 North 4th Street in Westcliffe, CO.
Please call (719)783-9245 for information.
Office Hours:
- Monday- 10am-4pm
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8am-4pm
- Friday- Closed
Please review the following documents prior to applying for a burn permit: