Due to the extremely high fire danger, all of Eagle County is in Stage 2 fire restrictions. The decision to enact restrictions is based on specific moisture measurements in vegetation and other risk factors such as predicted weather, available resources, and amount of current fire activity. 

When Eagle County moves into Stage 2 fire restrictions, the Town of Vail also moves to Stage 2 restrictions. The last time Eagle County and Vail went into Stage 2 fire restrictions was in July 2021. 

Vail’s Stage 2 fire restrictions are as follows: 

• Fireworks including sparklers and all types of explosives are prohibited from use. 

• No open burning is allowed within town. Use of portable outdoor fireplaces, firepits, chimneys or other wood burning appliance is prohibited. 

• The use of charcoal grills is prohibited except in areas where the grill is permanently affixed on or around a non-combustible surface and no less than thirty feet from combustible vegetation, combustible materials or forested areas. All grills must have a non-combustible metal trash can with tight fitting lid within ten feet of the grill. Hot coals are not to be left unattended and shall be disposed of properly in the provided metal can. A garden hose, handheld extinguisher, dirt or filled water bucket should be readily available in proximity to the grill. 

• Use of permanently affixed and portable outdoor gas fire appliances is permitted. Appliance must be equipped with a valve to shut off use if needed. Portable outdoor units must be used in an area at least 3 feet from flammable vegetation. 

• Outdoor smoking is allowed only in designated areas that are hardscaped or paved and are well clear of combustible vegetation or materials. Cigarettes or other lit items are to be disposed of in ash trays or cans. 

• Using an explosive including but not limited to blasting caps, rockets, exploding targets and tracer or incendiary ammunition is prohibited. It is always illegal to discharge a firearm within town limits. 

• All outdoor hot work, cutting, grinding or welding must be approved by the fire department. For hot work questions or approvals, email firerestrictions@vail.gov. 

While Vail has does not have additional restriction levels, Red Flag Warnings trigger automatic fire restriction upgrades in unincorporated Eagle County. When Stage 2 is active and a Red Flag Warning is issued, Stage 3 fire restrictions will apply in unincorporated Eagle County until the warning ends.  

Under Eagle County’s Stage 3 fire restrictions, any activity that produces or maintains, or attempts to produce or maintain, sparks, flames or any known ignition source for open fires is prohibited.  

For more information on fire restrictions by area or jurisdiction, visit the following links:  

Vail: https://www.vail.gov/government/departments/town-of-vail-fire-restrictions  

Eagle County: www.ecemergency.org 

State of Colorado: http://www.coemergency.com/p/fire-bans-danger.html 

BLM: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/colorado/upper-colorado-river-district 

White River National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver