MESA COUNTY, COLO. - The Mesa County Sheriff, in coordination with the Fire Chiefs of Mesa County, is lifting current fire restrictions for all private lands within the county effective at 12:01 a.m. Friday, September 18, 2026. Please visit the Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service websites for the latest information on fire restrictions affecting those lands.

A change in season and monsoonal rain has improved fire conditions in Mesa County allowing for fire restrictions to be rescinded.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

Tips for 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.