Mountain Village to enter Stage 1 Emergency Fire Restrictions effective July 3, 2025

Pursuant to Mountain Village Town Municipal Code 8.24, the Police Chief has express authority to impose an emergency restriction on open fires within the Town of Mountain Village. The Police Chief may exercise such authority only upon his finding that criteria developed by the Colorado State Forest Service, and with pertinent and significant input from the Telluride Fire Protection District, regarding the existence of extreme fire conditions have been satisfied.

Due to the prolonged period of hot, dry, and windy weather, and in an effort to mitigate the risk of wildfires, the Police Chief has imposed a restriction on open fires within the Town of Mountain Village, effective July 3, 2025.

This restriction on open fires shall be in effect for a period not exceeding 30 days, unless extended by an official resolution passed by the Mountain Village Town Council. The resolution will be presented to the Town Council at their regularly scheduled meeting on July 17, 2025.

Stage 1 restrictions prohibit the following:

• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire except within a permanently constructed fire grate in a developed campground, developed recreation site, or improved site. Charcoal grills are permitted on private property, and gas and propane grills are permitted as long as there is an “on-off” switch for flames.
  • NOTE: MVMC 17.6.8(A)(4) restricts open fires at all times in the town of Mountain Village
    • No outdoor, open, wood-burning fires shall be lighted or permitted on any lot except in a contained barbecue unit while attended. No open fires or barbecue units shall be lighted or permitted on any lot within the Village Center except when in conjunction with a special event on Village Center plaza areas or with specific approval from the Town. Such special event taking place on Village Center plaza areas shall require the approval of the Town
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials. Cigarette butts must be fully extinguished and disposed of in appropriate receptacles only.
• Personal use of fireworks of any kind
• Use of explosive materials, including explosive targets.
• Operation of a chainsaw or a chop saw for cutting steel without USDA or SAE approved spark arresting device property installed and in effective working order, and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of not less than eight (8) ounces capacity by weight, and one size zero (0) or larger round pointed shovel with an overall length of at least thirty-six (36) inches. The extinguisher shall be with the chainsaw operator. The shovel may be kept with the fueling supplies, but is readily available for quick use.
• Welding or operation of an acetylene or other similar torch with open flame except in an area that has been cleared of vegetation

The following shall be considered exempt from such open fire restrictions:

1. Any federal, state, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty; and
2. Any fires contained within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves or fireplaces; and
3. Campfires or bonfires required in religious ceremonies for which the Police Chief has granted a valid written permit in advance.

These emergency restrictions to open fires are ordered and in effect immediately, the 3^rd day of July 2025, and shall remain in effect no longer than 30 days from this date unless otherwise extended by the Town Council.

Please note that Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are also in place for unincorporated San Miguel County. Learn more.

A request for an extension will be presented at the regularly scheduled Town Council meeting on July 17, 2025.