Print
Share page with AddThis

Burn Permits and Open Burning

Burn Permits

The Fire Inspector for Chaffee County Fire will serve as the Deputy Fire Warden for Chaffee County. Per Chaffee County Ordinance ­­No. 2018-03 burn permits will only be issued October 1 till April 30 of any given year.

Piles greater than 10 feet in diameter and/or higher than 3 feet REQUIRE a burn permit. Piles will need to be inspected prior to issuing a burn permit. You may request a burn permit by submitting a burn permit form. The Fire Inspector will then contact you within a week of receiving the request to make further arrangements. If you receive a burn permit, YOU must contact the non-emergent number for the Chaffee County Sheriff (719-539-2596) PRIOR to lighting.

Open Burning

Chaffee County Ordinance No 2018-03 defines open burning/fire into three types: campfire or warming, small, and large (requiring a permit, see above).

  • A CAMPFIRE or WARMING fire is defined as: a fire within a ring or fire grate NO greater than 3 feet in diameter
  • A SMALL pile/burn is defined as: LESS than 10 feet in diameter and NO more than 3 feet in height
  • A LARGE pile/burn is defined as: AT LEAST 10 feet in diameter, and/or GREATER than 3 feet high

During the months of October through April any pile or open burn that falls into the SMALL definition is REQUIRED to be called into the non-emergent number PRIOR to lighting and must be out cold by 2 pm.

During the months of May through September any pile or open burn that falls into the SMALL definition is REQUIRED to be called into the non-emergent number PRIOR to lighting and must be out cold by 12 pm.

** ANY open burn MUST be supervised and NEVER left unattended **