Otero County Declares Stage 2 Fire Ban Ahead of July 4 Due to Extreme Fire Danger and Active Colorado Wildfires

Description: Otero County has enacted a Stage 2 Fire Ban effective immediately due to extreme fire weather, active Colorado wildfires, resource deployments, and water restrictions. Fireworks, open burning, and other high-risk activities are prohibited as officials urge residents to celebrate Independence Day safely. Read the Full Statement from Otero County Sheriff Shawn Mobley...

Taking into consideration the fires ongoing throughout the state, the deployment of local resources to assist in fighting those fires, the current weather conditions, water restrictions, and conversations with our local Fire Chiefs and County Emergency Manager, I am declaring a Stage 2 Fire Ban per Otero County Ordinance 2026-001. 

I realize the 250th anniversary of our Independence in this weekend, however we need to use common sense and help keep each other safe.  This would last only until conditions change and will be reviewed constantly.  Please celebrate your July 4th responsibly, as violations can mean significant fines, especially where carelessness causes fires.  We need to help keep each other safe during this extreme fire weather. 

So here is what a Stage 2 Fire Ban means:

This Ordinance applies to all persons within unincorporated areas of Otero County, including persons on public, private, state, and federal lands, to the extent not preempted by state or federal law. Any incorporated municipality may adopt this Ordinance by resolution or ordinance.

7.1 Stage 1 Restrictions

The following activities are prohibited:

(1) Open burning, except fires within permanently constructed fire grates in developed campgrounds and picnic areas, charcoal grills, and wood-burning stoves at private residences in areas cleared of all flammable materials, and those other exceptions listed in Section 11.

(2) The sale or use of fireworks.

(3) Outdoor smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building or in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter cleared of all flammable materials.

7.2 Stage 2 Restrictions

The following activities are prohibited:

(1) All open burning except as provided in Section 11.

(2) The sale or use of fireworks.

(3) Outdoor smoking, except under the conditions permitted during Stage 1 Restrictions.

(4) Use of internal combustion engines on public lands without approved spark-arresting devices that are properly installed and maintained in effective working order, meeting United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Standard 5100-1 or Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Recommended Practice J335.

(5) Welding or torch use unless conducted in an area at least thirty (30) feet in diameter cleared of flammable vegetation and with fire suppression equipment readily available for immediate use.

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