Fire Information & Restrictions
Help Preserve Rollins Pass by following common sense rules on fire safety; be sure you know when and where you can have campfires.
THERE ARE NO DEVELOPED CAMPSITES ON ROLLINS PASS
When fire bans/restrictions are in effect, no campfires are allowed—there are no ‘developed’ campsites on either side of Rollins Pass, no matter how well established a site or a rock fire ring appears. Dispersed (or undeveloped) campsites do not have metal fire rings, picnic tables, numbered posts, garbage service, nor toilets, and visitors are required to properly store and pack out all food and trash to prevent negative interactions with bears and other wildlife. Rocks do not make a permanent fire ring.
REVIEW DETAILS OF ANY FIRE BANS AND FIRE RESTRICTIONS
Fire restrictions can originate from many places, causing confusion for the public. Federal agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service can impose restrictions on the public land they manage. Individual states can impose restrictions on state-managed land. Counties may impose restrictions or bans on private lands within county borders. This can be very confusing and frustrating, especially when adjacent lands have different restrictions depending on the administering agency.
JAMES PEAK WILDERNESS: CAMPFIRE RESTRICTIONS
Campfires are always prohibited in the James Peak Wilderness per this US Forest Service page.
INDIAN PEAKS WILDERNESS: CAMPFIRE RESTRICTIONS
Campfires are prohibited in the Indian Peaks Wilderness on/near Rollins Pass by King Lake, Betty Lake, Bob Lake, Buttermilk Falls, Skyscraper Reservoir, Woodland Lake, and along the South Fork of the Middle Boulder Creek—these areas are in the Woodland BZ and Middle Boulder BZ where campfires are prohibited per this US Forest Service map; the only exception is on the ridge west of the Continental Divide (above Corona Lake), known as the Columbine Backcountry Zone (BZ).
CAMPFIRES
Improperly doused or misplaced fires are one of the leading causes of wildfires. Before starting a fire, check your area’s current restriction status to make sure conditions are safe for an open flame. Never burn in high winds or leave a fire unattended. Do not make excessively large fires as these can quickly get out of control—three (3) feet wide is the max. Make sure to only burn firewood and nothing else. Also, keep a shovel, an extinguisher and water nearby to quickly put out the fire, should the need arise. Completely extinguish a fire with sufficient dousing and cover with dirt before leaving the campsite. All outdoor fires must be OUT COLD!
RED FLAG WARNINGS (FIRE WEATHER WARNINGS)
A Red Flag Warning, also known as a Fire Weather Warning, is a forecast warning issued by the National Weather Service to inform area firefighting and land management agencies that conditions are ripe for wildland fire ignition and rapid propagation. After drought conditions and when humidity is very low, and especially when high or erratic winds (which may include lightning) are a factor, the Red Flag Warning becomes a critical statement for firefighting agencies. They usually include the daily vegetation moisture content calculations, expected afternoon high temperature, afternoon minimum relative humidity and daytime wind speed. To the public, a Red Flag Warning means high fire danger with increased probability of a quickly spreading vegetation fire in the area within 24 hours. Always check the weather and DO NOT start any outdoor fires during Red Flag Warnings.
WHAT DO THE VARIOUS STAGES OF FIRE RESTRICTIONS MEAN?
STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS
- No outdoor fires EXCEPT in developed campgrounds or picnic areas with permanently constructed fire grates and/or charcoal grills (because Rollins Pass does not have any developed campgrounds or picnic areas, this means no outdoor fires under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions)
- No use of open flame torches or explosives
- No operation of any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device, properly installed, maintained and in effective working order
- Smoking is only permitted in an enclosed vehicle or building, or while stopped in an area at least 3’ in diameter that is clear of all flammable materials
- Exceptions:
- Petroleum-fueled stoves, grills, lanterns and heating devices are permitted only if they have an on/off switch and meet fire underwriter’s safety specifications
- Owners/leasers of residences may have fires on their private property in permanently constructed fire rings/pits and charcoal grills
- Persons with a special permit specifically authorizing their activity
STAGE 2 FIRE RESTRICTIONS
- No outdoor fires or campfires of any kind
- No use of open flame torches or explosives
- No operation of any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device, properly installed, maintained and in effective working order
- Smoking is only permitted in an enclosed vehicle or building
- Exceptions:
- Petroleum-fueled stoves, grills, lanterns and heating devices are permitted only if they have an on/off switch and meet fire underwriter’s safety specifications
- Owners/leasers of residences may have fires within the home
- Persons with a special permit specifically authorizing their activity
STAGE 3 FIRE RESTRICTIONS
- All non-essential personnel are prohibited from entering, being upon, or using the lands within a Stage 3 closure area.
ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE
- To report a fire, call 911.
- Before going hiking or camping, check with public land management agencies and counties for fire restrictions or area closures.
- Never leave a fire unattended. Before leaving or going to sleep, completely extinguish your fire by dousing it with water and stirring the ashes until there is no more heat, smoke, or embers.
- Be careful with equipment such as stoves, lanterns, heaters, and grills. Make sure the area is clear of grasses and other fine fuels. Avoid tipping and spilling flammable substances, store fuel away from appliances, and allow equipment to cool.
- Discard cigarettes, lighters, and matches properly. Completely extinguish and dispose of smoking materials and carry them out of Rollins Pass with you.
- Consider alternatives to camp fires during periods of high fire danger.
- Practice Leave No Trace principles—pack out cigarette butts, lighters, and matches. To prevent cigarettes, cigars, or pipes from starting wildfires, always dispose of them in places where they cannot be a source of ignition. Placing smoking materials in a cup of water or an ashtray after use are great ways to prevent them from causing fires. Make sure they are put out or contained so that a still-lit butt cannot blow toward a potential source of ignition. Never simply discard smoking materials on the ground or throw them out a car window.
- If you see smoke, fire, or suspicious activities, note the location as best you can and report it to authorities. Do not attempt to contact suspicious people or try to put out a fire by yourself
- If you see a wildland fire, report its location. Avoid traveling near it.
- Exploding targets, tracer bullets, and fireworks are never allowed on National Forest System lands.
- Pull-off in established dirt areas. Driving on and/or parking on dry grasses can start a wildfire: motor vehicle catalytic converters can reach temperatures of 1,200 degrees or more. Grass fires can travel at 14 miles per hour—and for every 10 degrees of slope, a wildfire can double in speed.
BE MINDFUL OF HIGH WINDS ON AND NEAR ROLLINS PASS AND THE EAST PORTAL OF THE MOFFAT TUNNEL
Railroad workers more than a century ago consistently mentioned high winds on Rollins Pass. Times haven’t changed; please follow fire restrictions and, if allowed, keep any campfires small so the wind doesn’t spread fire and threaten the beauty and history of Rollins Pass. Drown your campfire with water, stir the embers with wet soil—ensuring everything is soaked. Everything (including the rock fire ring) should be cool to the touch—if it’s too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave. Learn more here.
The primary purpose of our work is to inform the public.
