Emergency Management
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Emergency Management

A wildfire rages in Red Canyon near Glenwood Springs, CO

Stage 2 fire restrictions

Stage 2 fire restrictions go into effect on June 26, 2026, for Garfield County, the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Upper Colorado River District Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service in Garfield County, and the seven fire districts in Garfield County.

What Stage 2 fire restrictions mean

  • Use of fireworks – Not permitted.
  • Burn permits (general) – No burn permits will be issued. All previously issued burn permits are cancelled.
  • Recreational fires – no recreational fires.
  • Cooking fires – use caution and keep attended. Cooking devices must be clean (including gas cylinder) and in proper working order.
      • a. Gas grills – no permit required.
      b. Charcoal and other solid fuel grills and cookers – no permit required in developed areas only.
      c. In undeveloped areas, a permit from the local fire department may be required.
  • Smoking – open smoking allowed in developed areas.
      • a. In undeveloped areas, allowed only in an enclosed vehicle or building.
  • Welding and spark-emitting cutting (hot work) – developed area: use extreme caution and take preventative measures as necessary.
      • a. Undeveloped area: industrial use only. A permit from the local fire department may be required. Must be in a cleared area at least 10 feet in diameter with a designated lookout. Must have Class A fire extinguishing capabilities readily available.
  • Operating of internal combustion engine-powered equipment such as chainsaws, hand-held tools, or generators without a spark-arresting device is prohibited. If described equipment does have a spark arresting device, you must have Class A fire extinguishing capabilities readily available, and round-point shovel (36″ length minimum) shall be readily available for use.
  • Other internal combustion engine-powered equipment, such as tractors and mowers: Operate with extreme caution paying special attention in areas subject to extreme conditions that may be susceptible to ignition (dry weeds and grasses, etc.).
  • Use of explosives, explosive targets and steel or tracer bullets – not permitted
  • Use of firearms – steel jacket/core bullets (armor piercing) and tracer bullets are expressly prohibited. It is the responsibility of each independent range to ensure safe fire conditions at all times the range is in use. This includes: mitigating fuels that may potentially catch fire; monitoring downrange conditions/impacts; maintaining the ability to access and rapidly extinguish fires; notifying the local fire department immediately in the event of a fire of any size. Keeping a usable fire-extinguishing application method on hand is strongly recommended.
      a. If shooting at an unattended range – including those on public and private property – the responsibility for ensuring safe fire conditions falls on the independent shooter.
    Fire restrictions across Garfield County


    Stage 2 Fire Restrictions press release
    • Ready Set Go graphic

    Evacuation planning

    Prepare to evacuate quickly and safely in the event of an emergency. Planning and preparation can help you take quick action. Visit our evacuation planning page for checklists.

    Garfield County Emergency Management uses the Ready Set Go model for evacuations.

    Ready – possible evacuation in your area. Prepare, monitor and pack your valuables.

    Set – Short notice evacuation likely in your area. Prepare for sudden evacuation; leave now if you need extra time.

    Go – Evacuate immediately from your area. LEAVE NOW! Danger in your area.

    Garco911 emergency alerts – register
    Incident updates – subscribe


    Plan para evacuar

    Plan para evacuar

    Prepárese para evacuar rápida y seguramente en caso de emergencia. La planificación y la preparación pueden ayudarle a actuar con rapidez. Visite nuestra página de planificación de evacuación para ver las listas de verificación.

    La Oficina de Gestión de Emergencias del Condado de Garfield utiliza el modelo Listo Conjunto Vaya para las evacuaciones.

    Prepárate: Posible evacuación en tu zona. Prepárate, mantente informado y empaca tus objetos de valor.
    Listo: Es probable una evacuación con poco aviso en tu zona. Preparate para una evacuación repentina; sal ahora si necesitas tiempo adicional.
    Fuera: Evacúa tu zona de inmediato SAL AHORA! Hay peligro en su zona.

    Alertas de emergencia Garco911 – regístrese
    Actualizaciones sobre incidentes: suscríbase.

    Descargue la aplicación ReachWell en su dispositivo móvil y seleccione “Garco911” para ver las alertas traducidas.

    Garfield County fireworks prohibition

    A sparkler with lights in background

    Garfield County has passed an ordinance prohibiting the use, sale, and possession of fireworks in unincorporated areas throughout the year.

    Fireworks


    Monsoons in western Colorado

    What is the monsoon graphic



    Smoke plume rises from a wildfire.

    Be prepared for wildfire

    When wildfires ignite, they may spread quickly, leaving people with very little time to grab necessities, secure pets or livestock, and evacuate. The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) offers tips on how to prepare for wildfire, and protect yourself if a fire ignites near your home.
    Wildfire preparedness

    Emergency Operations Center

    Garco911 emergency alerts – register
    Emergency Management feed – subscribe

    Four members of the Garfield County Sheriff's Office.

    Bornholdt named Emergency Manager of the Year

    Garfield County Emergency Manager Chris Bornholdt has been named the 2021 Emergency Manager of the Year in Colorado. He earned the prestigious Colorado Emergency Managers Association President’s Award for his leadership and dedication to protecting the community.
    Bornholdt honored

    Recovering from a disaster

    Developing a recovery plan for recovering from a disaster can not only be prudent prior to a disaster, but also to begin rebuilding following a disaster. The Federal Trade Commission has consumer information and tips to keep in mind for citizens working to rebuild following a disaster.
    Recovery tips

    A wildfire burns in the forest.

    Continuity of Operations

    The Garfield County Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) outlines the manner in which the community’s public safety and essential needs are met in the event of an emergency. This framework helps reduce risk, and increase the county’s resiliency, ensuring the best possible service to the public.
    COOP

    Garfield County road restrictions signage.

    Road regulations

    Semis and other oversized commercial vehicles are barred from traveling over roads that lead to Cottonwood Pass, and in the Four Mile area near Glenwood Springs. New signage is in place alerting drivers to these restrictions.
    Garfield County road restrictions
    Eagle County road restrictions

    Debris piled up against a wire fence after a flood.

    Garfield County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan

    Garfield County has adopted a new Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan that prioritizes natural disaster risks and focuses on ways to prevent loss of life and destruction of private property.
    Hazard Mitigation Plan

    A house in the woods.

    Garfield County Community Wildfire Protection Plan

    Adopted December 3, 2012

    InciWeb logo.

    InciWeb Incident Information System

    InciWeb is an interagency all-risk incident information management system. It was developed to provide the public a single source of incident-related information and to provide a standardized reporting tool for the Public Affairs community. Its supporting systems automate the delivery of incident information to remote sources to provide consistent active incident information timely delivery.
    InciWeb