Release: September 10, 2025

MESA COUNTY, Colo. - The Mesa County Sheriff, in coordination with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Grand Junction Field Office, is lifting current fire restrictions effective at 12:01 a.m. Friday, September 12, 2025. This remains in line with the U.S. Forest Service, which removed fire restrictions on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests (GMUG) this week, along with the BLM Southwest District Office cover Gunnison and Uncompahgre Field Offices.

A change in season and monsoonal rain has improved fire conditions in Mesa County allowing for fire restrictions to be rescinded. 

Agencies implement fire restrictions based on specific criteria to include the moisture content of vegetation, weather outlooks, and human risk factors. While conditions permit fire restrictions to be lifted, Mesa County is still experiencing extreme and severe drought conditions. Community members can significantly reduce the potential for human-caused fires by continuing to be proactive and cautious with activities that could ignite a fire.  

Preventing fires: 

• Never leave a fire unattended

• When target shooting on public lands, use approved targets with a non-flammable backstop and avoid shooting during hot, dry, or windy conditions

• Ensure fire pits and campfires are completely out and cold to the touch 

• Properly dispose of cigarettes or smoking products

• When pulling a trailer, make sure chains and other metal parts aren’t dragging the ground

• Burning trash is NEVER permitted 

Community members are encouraged to create a defensible space around your home and take this time to update your family’s emergency kit. Even homes in urban areas are susceptible to wildfire. Learn more at www.ready.gov/wildfires.

Fire managers will continue to monitor conditions for the duration of our fire season and restrictions will be adjusted should conditions change. 

A reminder, fireworks are never permitted on federal land. Wood fires are never permitted anywhere on the Colorado National Monument. For more information about fire restrictions on public lands in the area, visit the BLM website. We thank the public for doing their part to prevent wildfires.