Emergency Management – Garfield County, Colorado

Stage I fire restrictions begin June 26

A hillside in Garfield County following a wildfire.

Garfield County, the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) (June 27), the U.S. Forest Service (June 27), and the seven fire districts in Garfield County are implementing Stage 1 fire restrictions effective at midnight Thursday, June 26, 2025. This applies to all of Garfield County. This decision was made with thoughtful consideration. We look at the data, the potential for significant wildfires, and balance it with the impacts to our community. Our concern, with the level of fire danger we are seeing; one spark could quickly spread into a dangerous wildfire threatening lives, property, and natural resources.

Sparkler fireworks against evening background.

Garfield County has passed an ordinance prohibiting the use, sale, and possession of fireworks in unincorporated areas. Garfield County Emergency Manager Chris Bornholdt told the Board of County Commissioners that local conditions and future predictions indicate an extreme fire danger in the area. The ordinance notes that sagebrush fuel moisture “is at or below 100 percent, a near record low. Measurements taken in the county indicate Pinyon pine and juniper fuel moisture is 72 percent (significantly below normal moisture content percentages). Fuel moisture percentages are expected to further decrease in the next two weeks, creating high fire danger.” Flammable shrubs

Primitive campfire near to an old tree trunk and a tea pot on the ground in the forest.

The Garfield County Sheriff, BLM and the seven Fire Districts in Garfield County are lifting Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in all unincorporated areas of Garfield County effective at 12:01 a.m. Friday, August 23, 2024. The recent rainfall in our area along with cooler weather has allowed stage I restrictions to be lifted in Garfield County at all elevations. Fire restrictions are implemented based on specific criteria including the moisture content of vegetation, weather outlooks, human “risk” factors and firefighting resource availability. Please exercise due diligence, be careful if you are building a campfire or partaking of any activity in an

Burned trees after a prescribed wildfire.

Smoke will be visible in the Roaring Fork and Crystal valleys tomorrow from the Avalanche Creek Prescribed Fire seven miles south of Carbondale. Firefighters plan to burn up to 400 acres on White River National Forest lands above Filoha Meadows to reduce dense vegetation and other fuels, which improves wildlife habitat by stimulating new vegetation growth and lowers the risk from large wildfires. “Fire is as much a part of these landscapes on the White River National Forest as the plants and animals,” said Aspen-Sopris District Ranger Jennifer Schuller. “Prescribed fires are carefully planned fires we use when conditions are

Garfield County has passed an ordinance prohibiting the sale, use, and possession of fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county. The ordinance states that the combination of hot, dry, and windy conditions in Garfield County and heavily forested and grassy areas can create a high fire danger. “The board finds it is in the best interests of the citizens and residents of Garfield County to ban and prohibit the sale, use, or possession of fireworks and permissible fireworks to preserve the health, safety, and welfare of citizens and residents within the county,” the ordinance notes. The ordinance covers unincorporated Garfield

Monday afternoon a large mudslide occurred above the Hanging Lake Rest Area road and is now blocking access to the rest area and Hanging Lake Trail. The slide only affects access to the Hanging Lake Rest Area and is not impacting Glenwood Canyon or Interstate 70. The trail to Hanging Lake and the lake itself are not impacted by this debris flow. No one was injured or trapped behind the debris flow, but people with reservations to hike Hanging Lake will not be able to access the trail until the road is cleared. “We have been actively contacting all reservation

Running water and burnt timbers from a wildfire in Colorado.

Reachwell launch October 30, 2023 Eagle, Garfield, and Pitkin Counties, Colo.- Garfield, Eagle, and Pitkin community members can now receive emergency alerts in over 130 languages with the County’s new app from ReachWell. This month the counties are collaborating with local public information officers to introduce the ReachWell app to communities throughout the counties. Anyone in the community can now receive translated emergency alerts, without having to sign up or give out any personal information. “It is very clear that we need to do a better job informing non-English speakers about emergency events,” said Tom Holman, 911 Operations Manager at

American Red Cross disaster relief truck meeting the public.

The Western Mountain Regional Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) is partnering with the American Red Cross to host a free mass care shelter training for new volunteers on Tuesday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The training takes place at the Colorado Mountain College Glenwood Center, 1402 Blake Ave., Glenwood Springs. Please bring your own lunch; registration is available online.

A prohibition on firework use, possession, and sale in unincorporated Garfield County has been extended from June 20 through July 5 due to severe drought conditions in the area. In April, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) adopted an ordinance prohibiting the use, possession, or sale of any fireworks in unincorporated Garfield County through April 2023, but the dates of May 31 through July 5 are exempt because of a state law that requires counties to show “competent evidence of high fire danger” to prohibit firework use during this time. Garfield County Emergency Manager Chris Bornholdt told the commissioners that

Setting Fire to the several Firecrackers.

Garfield County is prohibiting the sale, use, and possession of fireworks in 2022 as a protective measure against ongoing wildfire danger locally and throughout the state of Colorado. The ordinance notes that Garfield County is “periodically subject to hot, dry, and windy conditions, and contains heavily forested, grass, and other vegetation areas, which, in combination with the presence of fireworks, create a high fire danger.” The ordinance (2022-1) prohibits sale, use, or possession of all permissible fireworks in unincorporated Garfield County; municipalities may or may not enforce firework prohibitions within their respective boundaries. Anyone in violation of the ordinance, classified

Garfield County Sheriff's Office's Sergeant Levy Burris, Emergency Manager Chris Bornholdt, Sheriff Lou Vallario, and Sergeant Chad Whiting.

Each year, the Colorado Emergency Managers Association (CEMA) meets to discuss operations and events from around the state, as well as the country. This training not only aids the respective counties in their ability to respond to emergency situations, but also enhances their network providing them with additional resources and knowledge during a localized incident or catastrophe. This year’s meeting was in Loveland, Colorado, with more than 500 people in attendance. Garfield County Emergency Manager Chris Bornholdt received the CEMA President’s Award. Bornholdt was recognized for the tutorship and mentoring he provided over the past several years and continues to

GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Garfield County is currently updating its regional multi-jurisdictional
Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) for 2022. HMPs are a requirement of the Disaster Mitigation Act
of 2000, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Once a
community, county, or district is part of an approved plan, it becomes eligible for up to a 75
percent cost share for a wide variety of projects listed in the plan. Continue reading Garfield County hazard mitigation plan underway

GLENWOOD SPRINGS – The Polis administration is seeking $116 million in aid through the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Emergency Relief program to support the response to severe damage to I-70 in Glenwood Canyon caused by multiple mudslides and large debris flows. As part of the request, the state is requesting $11.6 million, or 10% of the total request, be issued in an expedited process. The request was made by Governor Jared Polis and Department of Transportation Director Shoshana Lew in a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and FHWA Acting Administrator Stephanie Pollack, as well as a separate submission to

Multi-colored Veterans Day firework in Colorado.

The Garfield County Board of County Commissioners has extended a prohibition on firework use in unincorporated Garfield County to cover the period through July 5 due to severe drought conditions in western Colorado. The county already has in place a one-year prohibition that began on April 5, 2021, but the dates of May 31 through July 5 are exempt because of a state law that requires counties to show “competent evidence of high fire danger” to prohibit firework use during this time. The law was designed to give counties flexibility to allow residents to ignite legal fireworks around Independence Day

Wildfire mitigation work at a rural home.

Garfield County has contracted with local businesses on an Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWPP) to help mitigate potential impacts, such as mudslides or flash flooding, in areas affected by the Pine Gulch and Grizzly Creek fires last summer. The Pine Gulch Fire, which was located north of Grand Junction, consumed more than 139,000 acres, many of which were in western Garfield County. The Grizzly Creek Fire burned more than 32,600 acres in and around Glenwood Canyon. The EWPP team, which consists of engineers from SGM, staff from Kuersten Construction, Garfield County Emergency Operations Commander Chris Bornholdt, and Garfield County Construction

Fire managers from the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit are hoping conditions will be ideal in the upcoming weeks to complete several prescribed fires on federal land in Eagle, Garfield, Mesa, Moffat and Pitkin counties. Burns are planned for the Cherry Creek area 10 miles north of Silt, and another in West Divide 17 miles south of Silt.

Garfield County is continuing its support of an Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) plan to help property owners who were impacted by the Grizzly Creek and Pine Gulch wildfires this past summer. The federal recovery program provides funding for mitigation efforts and allows the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to act quickly after natural disasters impact communities. The EWP program covers the costs of mitigation work on infrastructure and land. The county is continuing to sponsor the efforts by contributing 20 percent of costs, and the NRCS is reimbursing the county the other 80 percent of expenses. The county’s total liability

Emergency declared over wildfires in Garfield County

Emergency declared over wildfires in Garfield County GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Garfield County has declared a local disaster emergency over two large wildfires burning in the area, allowing the county to receive federal aid and assistance to combat the blazes. The wildfires include the Pine Gulch Fire in western Garfield County and the Grizzly Creek Fire in and around Glenwood Canyon. The disaster declaration was created on Aug. 12, and the Board of County Commissioners ratified the resolution on Aug. 17. The fires constitute a “local disaster emergency that warrants the mobilization of emergency response and the furnishing of aid

All fire restrictions on unincorporated private and state lands in Garfield County are being lifted at 12:01 a.m. on May 27. Fire potential and conditions are still being monitored in Garfield County Continue reading Fire restrictions lifted

An ordinance prohibiting the use of fireworks in unincorporated Garfield County has been adopted to help protect public safety during the approaching wildfire season. The request, which was proposed by the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office and the county’s emergency manager, is considered “necessary for the immediate preservation of the public’s health, safety and welfare.” The ordinance is in place for all of 2020, apart from June 1 through July 5, which is exempted per state law, and for no longer than one year from the date it’s enacted. This ordinance covers the banned use of fireworks, not the sale. The

April 15, 2020, at 12:00 a.m., the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Bureau of Land Management – Colorado River Valley Field Office, the US Forest Service and the seven fire districts in Garfield County enact Stage 1 fire restrictions.

County adopts new Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan

GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – 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. The plan was compiled by Garfield County Community Development and Emergency Management departments, both of which worked closely with local jurisdictions. The new plan utilizes a list of hazard priorities from local jurisdictions and fire districts. The goal of the hazard mitigation plan is to reduce risks that may lead to natural disasters, such as wildfires and floods. It replaces the 2012 version, and all hazard mitigation

Garfield County PHED Ex drill

GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Garfield County emergency planners, responders and volunteers will practice Public Health emergency response procedures in a statewide health crisis exercise June 15-16. Garfield County Public Health will participate in a two-day full-scale Public Health Emergency Dispensing exercise to test the community’s response procedures during a health crisis, while counties statewide will do the same. The county invites community members to volunteer to help the exercise simulate how residents might respond in a true health emergency. The event may cause excess traffic and potential delays in Rifle on Railroad Avenue near the Garfield County Fairgrounds on Friday,

Garfield County seeks input on Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan

Garfield County is beginning the process of updating the 2012 Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan (HMP) and would like input from the community in a survey. The survey is available online and will be open until May 30. HMPs, like the one approved for Garfield County in 2012, identify where vulnerabilities to natural disasters such as flood, drought, earthquake, wildfire, winter storm, or dam failure might exist. The plan covers the county, as well as participating communities and fire districts. It sets goals, establishes mitigation alternatives, and prioritizes projects which may alleviate potential damages to property and provide protection when future

Community completes historic emergency training

GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. – Emergency response agencies and emergency managers from seven western Colorado counties joined area elected officials and multi-agency staff for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) training in classes and simulated exercises June 16-19 in Rifle. FEMA experts, some of whom responded to 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy, and other national disasters, trained nearly 65 area emergency responders and staff from support agencies in coordinating emergency response efforts in Rifle. FEMA selected Garfield County for the L947 – Integrated Emergency Management Course through a competitive process nationwide. After receiving intensive training at the National Emergency Training Center (NETC)

Division of Fire Prevention and Control Selects Rifle/Garfield County as Location for Center of Excellence

DENVER – Wednesday, March 18, 2015 – The Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) today presented its recommendations and selection of Rifle-Garfield County Airport to Gov. John Hickenlooper as host community for the Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting. “We were fortunate to have a number of outstanding candidates to consider for the Center of Excellence and it was a difficult decision with both urban and rural applicants, but Rifle and Garfield County stood out as the best choice,” said Hickenlooper. “As home to the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Facility and with its proximity to

County lands FEMA emergency field course

GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has selected Garfield County to host an important emergency management course in 2015. FEMA representatives will work in conjunction with the county’s emergency management staff and county administration to conduct an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) / Incident Management Team (IMT) Interface field delivery course June 15-18, 2015. “This is a very important training for our community,” said Garfield County Manager Andrew Gorgey. “FEMA operates similar courses at its National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Previously, county staff had to travel there for this training, and the scenarios there are

Stage I fire restrictions begin June 26

Garfield County enacts fireworks prohibition

Stage I fire restrictions lifted in Garfield County

Avalanche Creek prescribed fire near Carbondale planned for April 24

BOCC passes firework prohibition ordinance

Mudslide blocks access to Hanging Lake Trailhead

GarCo911 partnering with ReachWell

Mass care shelter training

Drought necessitates extension of firework prohibition

Garfield County enacts firework prohibition

Bornholdt earns CEMA President’s Award

Garfield County hazard mitigation plan underway

Polis seeks $116 million in federal aid to rebuild I-70 in Glenwood Canyon

Garfield County expands firework use prohibition

Watershed protection projects continue in burn areas

Prescribed burns planned in Garfield County near Silt

Garfield County sponsoring wildfire burn area mitigation work

Emergency declared over wildfires in Garfield County

Fire restrictions lifted

Firework use banned in unincorporated Garfield County

Stage 1 fire restrictions