On Friday, June 25, the Town of Frisco has entered Stage 2 fire restrictions in coordination with Summit County Government, the White River National Forest, and the Towns of Blue River, Breckenridge, Dillon and Silverthorne. Fire restrictions are the same for Summit County and area municipalities due to a coordinated effort made formal with an intergovernmental agreement to reduce confusion and align with Forest Service fire stage restrictions.

Since the Town of Frisco went into Stage 1 fire restrictions on June 11, the fire danger in Summit County has been rising due to dry weather and the subsequent low moisture content in natural live fuels. There has also already been substantial wildfire activity this season in Summit County, and this step to Stage 2 fire restrictions is being taken because of the considerable risk of starting a wildfire if there are any outdoor fires on public or private property at this point.

Prohibited Fire Activities

1. All outdoor open fires, such as campfires, warming fires, bonfires, or the prescribed and/or agricultural burning of fence rows, slash piles, fields, wildlands, trash and debris, are prohibited. Fires in campgrounds or picnic areas (developed recreation sites), which are contained in a permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the USDA Forest Services has installed and maintained, are prohibited.
2. All wood and/or charcoal fires are prohibited, even if in a device approved by a local fire agency, such as a covered fire pit or charcoal grill. This means that all backyard fires in fire pits and similar devices fueled by wood or charcoal are prohibited.
3. Smoking is prohibited outdoors, along with the disposal of burning objects outdoors, such as but not limited to any cigarette, cigar, or match. Smoking is allowed in an enclosed vehicle or building or while stopped in an area that is at least three feet in diameter and is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
4. The use and/or sale of fireworks are prohibited.
5. The use of tracer ammunition, including recreational use of any projectile containing explosive material, incendiary material, or other chemical substance is prohibited.  An administrative closure of the Summit County shooting range will go into effect on Friday, June 25 as well. To clarify- shooting in general is not prohibited under Stage 2 fire restrictions, but gun owners are asked to be aware of their surroundings and use sound judgement before ever discharging a firearm.
6. The operation of a chainsaw is prohibited, unless the chainsaw has a USDA or Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) approved spark arrester properly installed and in working order. Also, the chainsaw operator must have a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of 2A) and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use at all times.
7. Blasting, grinding, welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame outdoors is prohibited.
8. The use of charcoal and/or wood pellet grills, smokers and barbecues, coal and wood burning stoves and sheepherder’s stoves are prohibited. To clarify- pellet grills/smokers with electric ignitors, such as Traeger Grills, are also prohibited under Stage 2 fire restrictions.
9. Hot air balloons are prohibited.
10. Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without an effective and properly installed USDA or Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) approved spark arrestor is prohibited.
11. Off-highway vehicles may only be used on established roads, motorized trails, or established parking areas. They may only park in an area devoid of vegetation within at least 10 feet of the vehicle. They may not be used off of established roads, trails, or parking areas.

Permitted Activities: The following activities and uses are allowed under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions

1. Liquid or gas-fueled devices such as heating devices, such as mushroom heaters; stoves; grills; lanterns; fire pits; fireplaces; or fire tables that include shut-off valves are permitted when used in an area at least three or more feet from flammable materials such as grasses or pine needles.
2. Fires contained inside permanent structures, such as any fire contained within a fireplace, stove, wood burning stove, or pellet stove designed for and located within a fully enclosed permanent structure, are permitted.
3. Smoking is only allowed in an enclosed vehicle or building or while stopped in an area that is at least three feet in diameter and is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
4. Sale of firewood and charcoal is allowed only if a sign is placed at all locations of such inventory that advises that Stage 2 fire restrictions are in effect and that all charcoal and wood fired outdoor fires are prohibited by law.

Wildfire Mitigation and Preparedness

This is an ideal time to do wildfire mitigation and to prepare in case there is a wildfire.

• The Ready, Set, Go! Personal Action Guide is a useful handbook recommended by Summit Fire & EMS to help residents prepare for a wildfire with tips on landscaping to create “defensible space” and “home hardening” to help homes withstand an encroaching wildfire or ember storm, as well as suggestions on being prepared for a wildfire.
• Free wildfire preparation and defensible space consultations are available by calling Summit Fire & EMS at 970-262-5100.
• Wildfire mitigation grant programs are available to homeowner groups working to create defensible space.
• Summit County’s chipping program is returning again this year. Summit County Government helps residents and property owners create defensible space by providing a free chipping program for the disposal of branches, logs and small trees. If woody vegetation is cleared from around homes and stacked in a slash pile at the curb, Summit County will chip it and haul it away at no cost. Slash piles will be picked up in Frisco during the week of July 5-9, 2021.
• This is also the perfect time to sign up for Summit County Alert. Summit County’s Office of Emergency Management uses Summit County Alert (powered by the CodeRED software system) to send emergency notifications by phone, email, and text to keep community members informed of events such as wildfires, evacuation notices, utility outages, water main breaks, floods, and hazardous materials spills.
• A wildfire evacuation kit is recommended in case wildfire evacuations are ever needed. Below is a list of items to consider including in a household wildfire evacuation kit; items may vary depending on the needs and priorities of a household.
  • Baby supplies (bottles, formula, diapers, baby food)
  • Batteries
  • Can opener
  • Cash
  • Clothing, hats, sturdy shoes
  • Duct tape
  • Emergency blanket and/or sleeping bags
  • Emergency contact information
  • Family contact information
  • First aid kit
  • Flashlight
  • Food: Non-perishable, 3-day supply
  • Games and books
  • Glasses and contact lenses
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Items of sentimental value that could not be replaced
  • Keys: House, vehicles
  • Matches
  • Medical items, devices, records and information
  • Medication: 7-day supply; list of medications
  • Multi-tool
  • Personal documents (proof of address, home lease/deed, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
  • Pet supplies: food, leash, carrier, bowl
  • Phone, tablet, laptop and power cords
  • Rain gear
  • Scissors
  • Toiletries and personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, moisturizer, razor, soap, sun screen, hair brush)
  • Towels
  • Water: 3 gallons/person
  • Whistle
  • Work gloves

Be Wildfire Ready Checklist Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Stage 2 Fire Restrictions (Spanish)