Upper Colorado River District Bureau of Land Management

Derby Fire: BLM Colorado reopens more public land in Garfield and Eagle counties

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Bureau of Land Management Colorado, Upper Colorado River District, Grand Junction Field Office

The Bureau of Land Management has reopened more public lands in Garfield and Eagle counties that were previously closed due to the Derby Fire. The updated closure order takes effect immediately.

Some areas inside the burned perimeter remain closed because they’re not safe. There are hazards like burned trees and ongoing work to repair damage from fighting the fire. See below and attached map for details. The closure order and map are also available on the BLM website.

This closure affects: BLM lands north and west of the town of Gypsum, Colorado, that are north of Sweetwater Road; west of the Colorado River; east of the White River National Forest boundary; and south of Derby Creek.

BLM issued the emergency closure Aug. 20 to ensure public and firefighter safety during fire suppression efforts and to reduce exposure to hazardous situations because of fire behavior of the Derby Fire.

This order will remain in effect until fire BLM rescinds the order. The public is to remain clear of the areas still closed. Please use caution and watch for firefighters when traveling in the area. Violations of this emergency order may lead to prosecution, with fines and possible imprisonment.

Thank you for your understanding as we focus on public safety and protecting natural resources.

For questions about the land closure, call the Colorado River Valley Field Office at 970-876-9000. For updates on the Derby Fire, visit the U.S. Forest Service White River National Forest page on Facebook.

A map of the closures near the Derby Fire.
Derby Fire: BLM Colorado reopens more public land in Garfield and Eagle counties

Stage 1 fire restrictions in Garfield County

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Garfield County Sheriff and seven fire districts, Upper Colorado River District BLM, White River National Forest

GARFIELD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE NEWS RELEASE: STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS TO REPLACE STAGE II FIRE RESTRICTIONS IN GARFIELD COUNTY

Garfield County fire restrictions
BLM – Upper Colorado River District fire restrictions
White River National Forest fire restrictions

After careful consideration, Garfield County, CO, the Garfield County Sheriff, Upper Colorado River District Bureau of Land Management, the White River National Forest and the seven fire districts in Garfield County moved from stage II fire restrictions to stage I fire restrictions effective 12:01 a.m. MST Friday September 5, 2025. The fire danger is still high but less than it was for the past several weeks when we were under stage II restrictions.

Fire restrictions are implemented based on specific criteria to include moisture content of vegetation, weather outlooks, human risk factors and firefighting resource availability

WHAT STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS MEAN IN GARFIELD COUNTY

  • Fireworks are not allowed under stage I fire restrictions. Professional fireworks shows may be allowed through the permitting process.
  • All burn permits are postponed/canceled until further notice.
  • Campfires are only allowed within designated fire grates in developed areas (i.e. a permanent in-ground containment structure or store bought fire pit). A temporary fire pan and rock campfire rings will are not acceptable.
  • No fires of any type including charcoal in undeveloped areas.
  • No smoking except within a designated area, enclosed vehicle or building, a developed area or in an area free of combustibles.
  • No use of fireworks or explosive materials, including “exploding” targets or bullets and tracer rounds.
  • Exercise common sense and industry safety practice when welding or operation of an acetylene or other similar torch with open flame always cleared safe area of vegetation and combustibles.

Penalties

Causing a fire during fire restrictions can be a class 6 felony and can be punishable by fines. Other possible charges range from a class 2 felony to a petty offense, depending on the value of the damage caused. You may be held financially responsible for damage caused.

federal lands

The use of fireworks, flares, or other incendiary devices, including exploding targets, are always prohibited on federal lands.

By definition:

A “developed area” is an area, whether within city limits or rural, that is groomed, manicured and or watered, where grasses, brush and trees are regularly attended to by land owner. This includes residential and business areas, improved recreational areas, parks and other common areas.

“Undeveloped areas” are lands that are not groomed, manicured, or watered, where grasses, brush and trees have been allowed to grow in a natural environment. This includes green belts that are not landscaped or manicured, open space lands, non-manicured park lands, and other areas where the fire hazard presented by the vegetation is determined by the authority having jurisdiction or designee to be an undue wildland fire hazard.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Stage 1 fire restrictions in Garfield County