Here you will find information on Fire Restrictions that affect Crystal Lakes and the surrounding areas.  Please keep in mind that restrictions instated by the Crystal Lakes Fire Protection District may be more restrictive than restrictions instated by the county or state. 

LARIMER COUNTY FIRE BAN 2024

The County Board of Commissioners has voted to instate fire restrictions from 4:15 pm July 31st until 8:00 am August 31st. The restrictions forbid uncontained open fires, contained open fires, the use of combustible devices, and fireworks (which, to be clear, are always illegal for private citizens to use in our area, but public fireworks are also now banned).

This means:

The following are not permitted:

• Open fires, including camp or cooking fires. This includes fires in permanently constructed stationary masonry or metal fireplaces, like those required in Crystal Lakes.
• Fireworks or firework displays.
• Incendiary devices including sky lanterns, exploding ammunition, exploding targets, and tracer ammunition.
• Smoking in the open, including on trails, in parks, and in open spaces.
• Outdoor welding.

The following are still allowed:

• Gas-fueled fires, including grills and camping stoves.
• Fireplaces or wood stoves located inside permanent structures.

The press release about the restrictions is here: https://www.larimer.gov/spotlights/2024/07/31/larimer-county-adopts-fire-restrictions

The county page about the restrictions is here: https://www.larimer.gov/emergency/mitigating-against-hazards/larimer-county-fire-restrictions-bans

NATIONAL FOREST FIRE RESTRICTIONS 2024

The Arapahoe and Roosevelt National Forest is under Stage 1 fire restrictions from today, July 2, 2024, through August 30, 2024. These restrictions have just been announced and prohibit the following:

• All fires (including charcoal or briquette fires) not in permanent metal or masonry pits installed by the forest service in developed recreation sites. LP or gas devices with on/off switches are permitted.
• Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, at a developed recreation site, or in an area cleared of all flammable materials that's at least three feet in diameter.
• Operating any combustion engine without a spark arrester. Those using a chainsaw must also have a fire extinguisher and shovel with them.
• All explosives, including fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, tracers, incendiary ammunition, fuses, and blasting caps.

The fire restrictions order and more information is available here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/arp/alerts-notices/?aid=57718