Stage 1 Fire Ban
Starting 03-24-26 at 6:00AM unincorporated Chaffee County will be under stage 1 fire restrictions. These restrictions will also include the municipalities of Buena Vista and Poncha Springs.
Federal Forrest Service and BLM are not yet in restrictions, and the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office will not be enforcing restrictions on these lands at this time. If you live in the city limits of Buena Vista, Poncha Springs or on private property in the unincorporated county the restrictions will apply and will be enforced.
It is unknown at this time how long the restrictions will be in place, but it will be effective for the foreseeable future. The cool nights are still helping but we desperately need a lot of precipitation for us to move out of restrictions.
Our surrounding forests are doing better than our valley floors and much better than some of our surrounding counties. Our forests just moved to moderate fire danger, but our private properties are in much higher danger of fires spreading quickly if there is an ignition. Another consideration for enacting restrictions is that state and local fire resources are spread thin as they assist with other wildfires in Colorado limiting their availability to help us if the need arose.
Thank you for your cooperation and if you see a violation, please report it to the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center at 719-539-2596. Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office Deputies will be monitoring, and violations can be met with harsh penalties so please help us pass the word, so our beautiful county is safe.
Thank You -Sheriff Andy Rohrich
