Fire Restrictions

The Lafayette City Administrator, in consultation with the Lafayette Fire and Police Chiefs, may implement fire restrictions based on local conditions including, but not limited to, drought, regional fire restrictions, water restrictions, wildfire conditions, and weather.  

These restrictions are intended for areas within Lafayette city limits and supersede fire bans issued by Boulder County. They are intended to protect the community when conditions pose increasing danger to the community.  

The Lafayette Fire Department aligns with Boulder County and evaluates current conditions, including data produced by the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) and the National Weather Service, to make a restriction determination.

When fire restrictions are implemented, notice will be emailed to the City's News Flash subscribers, published on the City website, and posted on the City's Facebook and Twitter pages. 

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

A Stage 1 fire restriction PROHIBITS:

  • Smoking outdoors except on private property that is concrete, asphalt, or on barren ground
  • Fireworks (always prohibited regardless of fire restriction level unless a permit is obtained for a professional display)
  • Discharging a firearm (always prohibited regardless of restriction level)
  • Open burning (ditches, fields)
  • Explosives (unless a permit is obtained) 

A Stage 1 fire restriction ALLOWS:

  • Charcoal barbeques and grills on private property and in designated City parks
  • Outdoor recreational fire in an established pit or device on private property (wood, pellets, etc..)
  • Welding or spark generating activities in a 10-foot cleared area with an extinguisher present
  • Professional fireworks display with a permit
  • Propane or natural gas grills
  • Propane or natural gas fire pits
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions red x through a flame

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions

A Stage 2 fire restriction PROHIBITS:

  • Charcoal barbeques and grills on private or public property
  • Outdoor fire in an established pit or device on private property (wood, pellets, etc..)
  • Smoking outdoors except on private property that is concrete, asphalt, or on barren ground
  • Fireworks (always prohibited regardless of restriction level unless a permit is obtained for a professional display)
  • Discharging a firearm (always prohibited regardless of restriction level)
  • Open burning (ditches, fields)
  • All explosives and permitted explosives

A Stage 2 fire restriction ALLOWS:

  • Welding or spark generating activities in a 10-foot cleared area with an extinguisher present
  • Propane or natural gas grills
  • Propane or natural gas fire pits
  • Chainsaw equipped with a spark arrestor and with an extinguisher and round-point shovel present
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions red x through a flame
Controlled burn

Wildfire awareness

Learn about wildfires and how to prepare at lafayetteco.gov/Wildfire.