Burn Restriction Order 2026-R1

February 23, 2026/Kurt Eilmes

The Colorado Springs Fire Department, by and through its Division of the Fire Marshal, determines measures are necessary to maintain fire hazard awareness and continue to reduce fire risks in order to protect health and safety which are essential. Therefore, due to current and forecasted critical fire weather conditions and excessively dry fuel moisture levels, Burn Restriction Order 2026-R1 is in effect for the City of Colorado Springs. EFFECTIVE 0800 (MDT), TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026
CITY OF COLORADO SPRINGS BURN RESTRICTION ORDER 2026-R1

  • PROHIBITED within the City of Colorado Springs:
    • Any type of fire, whether open or contained, on any UNDEVELOPED WILDLAND
    AREAS, brushy areas, or grassy areas
    • Recreational fires
    • Bonfires
    • Open or prescribed burns
    • Outdoor smoking in ALL CITY PARKS AND OPEN SPACES
    • Small internal combustion engines operated without a properly installed, maintained,
    and functioning spark arrestor
    • Recreational fireworks/devices requiring ignition such as sparklers, snakes, aerials,
    comets, flares, flyers, fountains, missiles, mortars, spinners, punks, rockets, shells,
    etc. (PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES)
    • Trash/rubbish burning (PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES)

    ALLOWED within the City of Colorado Springs:
    • Select pyrotechnic or commercial activities WHEN PERMITTED by the Colorado
    Springs Fire Department (CSFD)
    • Hot work activities such as welding, brazing, blasting, or torching in forested or grassy
    areas WHEN PERMITTED by CSFD
    • Outdoor smoking ONLY in designated areas and disposal of smoking materials is in a
    non-combustible container with a secured lid (SMOKING IS PROHIBITED IN ALL
    CITY OWNED PARKS AND OPEN SPACES)
    • Model rockets WHEN PERMITTED by CSFD
    • Outdoor fireplaces and outdoor appliances WITHIN DEVELOPED AREAS:
    o Shall maintain a minimum clearance of 15’ between the fireplace or appliance
    and all combustible structures, fences, and/or vegetation (No clearance
    requirements for permanent outdoor fireplaces or appliances installed in
    accordance with the currently adopted International Mechanical Code)
    o Shall ONLY be fueled by wood, pellets, charcoal, liquid propane gas (LPG),
    natural gas, or liquid fuel
    o Shall utilize spark arrestors when fueled by wood, pellets, or charcoal
    o Shall constantly be attended by a capable adult with a means of complete
    extinguishment
    o Shall dispose of waste (residue from wood, pellets, or charcoal) in noncombustible containers with lids tightly secured
    o Cooking devices intended for outdoor use WITHIN DEVELOPED AREAS:
    o Shall maintain a minimum clearance of 15’ between the device and all
    combustible structures, fences, and/or vegetation (No clearance requirements
    for permanent outdoor cooking appliances installed in accordance with the
    currently adopted International Mechanical Code)
    o Shall ONLY be fueled by wood, pellets, charcoal, liquid propane gas (LPG),
    natural gas, or liquid fuel
    o Shall constantly be attended by a capable adult with a means of complete
    extinguishment
    o Shall dispose of waste (residue from wood, pellets, or charcoal) in noncombustible containers with lids tightly secured

    Burn Restriction Order 2026-R1 (Order 2026-R1) is in full force and effect for the City of Colorado Springs and will remain until rescinded.
    Violators of the Order shall be subject to the General Penalty provisions of the City Code of Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2001, as amended, Sections 1.1.201 and 1.1.202, which may
    include punishments up to a $2,500 fine; imprisonment in jail, not to exceed 189 days; a sentence to probation; or a combination of a fine, imprisonment, or probation. Fires caused
    in violation of this Order may be investigated as a misdemeanor or felony arson violation, subjecting violators to any penalties provided under Colorado statutes.

    The Colorado Springs Fire Department urges all citizens of and visitors to Colorado Springs to abide by the Order and share in the responsibility of keeping our community safe.
    Please report any suspected non-emergency violations of the Order by calling 719-444- 7000. An outdoor burning guideline, as well as additional public safety information, is available on
    the coloradoprings.gov website and on the Colorado Springs Fire Department’s COS Wildfire Ready website (https://www.coswildfireready.org/burn-restrictions).

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