Most Western Slope counties are lifting fire restrictions as the region sees cooler temperatures and more rain. This comes after a severe drought contributed to wildfires across the state, and forced many counties to institute strict fire bans. 

Last week, Pitkin, Eagle and Garfield counties, as well as the White River National Forest, joined a growing list of western counties that have eased limits on outdoor fires. 

Parker Lathrop, the deputy of operations for the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, explained that the decision was based on a number of factors, including fuel moisture, the weather forecast, firefighting resources and the number of fires started by humans.

“This year, the public did an incredible job, having very few human-caused fires,” Lathrop said of the dry, high fire-risk summer. His county, like many, instituted strict restrictions throughout the season. “I think everyone took this seriously and this was the year to do that. The risk was just so high after last winter.” 

The Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit — which includes the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service — shares data and holds weekly meetings to help counties in western Colorado, such as Pitkin, coordinate and make informed decisions about fire prevention. 

“Everyone is relieved, obviously, to have the fire restrictions lifted. It’s helpful for those who want to enjoy the outdoors and enjoy campfires,” said Patty Dowd Schmitz, the communications director for Gunnison County. “I do think people felt like it was a pretty long summer of wildfire activity down here on the Western Slope.”

The Gold Mountain Fire burned nearly 40,000 acres, partly in Gunnison County. Numerous major fires scorched tens of thousands of acres, and taxed firefighters across the Western Slope this summer.

While the peak summer camping season has ended and restrictions have been removed, Schmitz said some risk still remains. 

“Keep your campfires within those contained rings and obviously, be very careful with any fire that you start and make sure that you’re able to put it out fully,” Schmitz said.