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Stage 2 Fire Prohibitions - Fire Restrictions are Terminated, effective 12:01 AM Friday, July 31
Update:
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions will be rescinded effective 12:01 AM Friday, July 31st, 2026. Done at Del Norte, Colorado, this 29th day of July 2026.
/s/ Dennis Kuhnel Forest Supervisor Rio Grande National Forest
Original:
The Rio Grande National Forest is implementing Stage 2 Fire Restrictions beginning July 4th, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. Based on present conditions Rio Grande National Forest, including congressionally designated Wilderness areas prohibit building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal barbecue, or grill, except if using a device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on. You will find a complete list of prohibited activities below designed to protect public safety while maintaining access to public lands.
Fireworks and other explosives are always illegal on public lands.
Alert Start Date: July 2, 2026
Alert End Date: December 31, 2026
Order Number: 02-09-00-26-05
Contact Information
Contact Name: Rio Grande National Forest
Contact Number: 719-657-5017
Associated Documents
Forest Order
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
TERMINATION OF ORDER
RIO GRANDE NATIONAL FOREST
Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), the prohibitions listed in Order Number 02-09-00-26-05, Stage 2 Fire Restrictions applicable to all National Forest System lands (NFS) in the Rio Grande National Forest, Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache counties, State of Colorado, dated 07/29/2026, and signed by Dennis Kuhnel, Forest Supervisor, Rio Grande National Forest are hereby terminated. This Order will be in effect at 12:01 AM Friday, July 31st, 2026. Done at Del Norte, Colorado, this 29th day of July 2026.
/s/ Dennis Kuhnel
Forest Supervisor
Rio Grande National Forest
Original Forest Order 02-09-00-26-05
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE
RIO GRANDE NATIONAL FOREST
STAGE 2 FIRE PROHIBITIONS
PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a)and (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands of the Rio Grande National, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Appendix A, hereinafter referred to as the “Described Area”:
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal barbecue, or grill, except if using a device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device. 36 CFR § 261.52(a)
- Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building. 36 CFR § 261.52(d)
- Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame. 36 CFR § 261.52(h)
- Using an explosive. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(b)
- Possessing or using a motor vehicle off NFS roads, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the motor vehicle. 36 CFR § 261.56.
EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
- Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2)].
- Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting service in the performance of an official duty.
DESCRIBED AREA
All National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the exterior boundaries of the Rio Grande National Forest, as depicted on the map attached as Appendix A of this Order.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety.
IMPLEMENTATION
- This Order shall be in effect from July 4th, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. through December 31, 2026 at 12:01, unless rescinded.
- A map identifying the Described Area is incorporated into this Order as Appendix A. For a digital version of this Order and Appendix A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/riogrande/alerts.
- Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.
- A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
- Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Conejos Peak Ranger District Office in La Jara, Colorado, 719-274-8971, Divide Ranger District in Del Norte, Colorado, 719-657-3321, Saguache Ranger District in Saguache, Colorado, 719-655-2547, and at the Rio Grande National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Del Norte, Colorado, 719-657-5017, Creede Ranger Station, Creede, Colorado, 719-658-2556.
- This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.
Signed in Del Norte, Colorado, this 2nd day of July, 2026.
/s/ Dennis Kuhnel
Forest Supervisor
Rio Grande National Forest
Maps
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