Fire Restrictions Rescinded In La Plata County, Effective July 6, 2022

Durango, CO –La Plata County Sheriff Sean Smith lifted Stage I Fire Restrictions effective July 6, 2022 in the unincorporated areas of La Plata County and upon all lands owned by La Plata County excluding those private lands in the Towns of Bayfield and Ignacio, the City of Durango, or any Federal or Tribal lands. Recent rains over much of the county have decreased the fire risk, although residents are asked to still exercise caution when dealing with fire or sparks. The La Plata County Sheriff and fire response agencies will continue to monitor the situation and if the conditions dry out later this summer or fall, fire restrictions may be enacted again.

Although there are currently no fire restrictions in place for La Plata County, most residents must obtain a permit from their local fire department when they plan to burn (with three exceptions, see below). Permits can be obtained from the below fire departments:

Durango Fire Protection District (for properties in the Animas valley corridor from the north county line to New Mexico), visit https://durangofire.org/ to fill out an online permit, or call 382-6000.
Upper Pine Fire Protection District (for properties east of Bayfield north to Vallecito), visit https://www.upperpinefpd.org/community/burn-permits/ to fill out an online permit, or call 884-9508;
Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Protection District (for properties in west La Plata County surrounding Hesperus to the Colorado/New Mexico state line on Highway 140), call 238-0115; or
Los Pinos Fire Protection District (for properties in the southeast corner of La Plata County and surrounding Ignacio), does not require permits, but residents must call 563-4401 prior to any burn.
Some areas in La Plata County are not within a fire district. Those residents should notify Dispatch (385-2900 or 563-4401 for residents near Ignacio) prior to any burn.
Immediately prior to any burn, residents should call Dispatch at 385-2900 (or 563-4401 for residents near Ignacio) so dispatchers will be able to relay information about the burn being conducted. Burn permits are not required for agricultural burns on land designated as agricultural by the Assessor’s Office. There is also no permit required for recreation fires which are defined as “an outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, barbeque grill or barbeque pit and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes." A 25-foot setback from structures is required for recreational fires.