Larimer County extends fire and combustible‑device restrictions through Sept. 8 after sheriff cites dry fuels

The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners voted 2-0 on July 21 to extend restrictions on fires and combustible devices across the county through 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 8, 2026.

Sheriff John Fain urged the continuation after presenting drought and fuel‑moisture data showing that moisture levels remain far below historic averages. “What we’re asking for is basically a continuation of what we have currently — no changes, no reductions, no increases, but just to maintain what we currently have through Tuesday, September 8, at 11:59PM,” Fain said during the administrative matters meeting.

Fain told the board the county saw a wetter May but that June and July have been unusually dry. He cited county rain‑gauge measurements and regional drought indices, saying portions of Colorado recorded one of the driest January–June periods on record; across the state, he said, moisture was approximately 3.33 inches below the climatological norm for that span.

Commissioner John Kefalas asked about enforcement and whether residents are complying with the restrictions. Fain said crews have quickly suppressed many new starts but that the county continues to see ignition sources from activities such as welding and grinding. He noted ambiguity in the county’s 2019 authorizing ordinance — for example, how “undeveloped” areas are defined — and said the county attorney’s office is working to clarify language to cover common ignition scenarios.

Fain said Larimer County’s restrictions are generally aligned with the U.S. Forest Service, which moved to a comparable Stage 2 restriction about two weeks earlier. He recommended the Sept. 8 extension to allow any late‑season moisture to be absorbed by fuels and lower wildfire risk.

Commissioners and the sheriff discussed outreach and preparedness for communities with limited ingress and egress, such as mobile home parks. Fain described ongoing collaboration with municipal emergency management, local fire districts and county OEM; he noted residents can register for localized alerts and that wireless emergency alerts can be used for large evacuations.

Board members and the sheriff also discussed ways to improve public notification, including the possible installation of permanent, changeable roadside signage to indicate when restrictions are active; Fain said the idea would require coordination with road and bridge and funding.

The board approved a written resolution extending the restrictions, effective 12 a.m. July 22, 2026, through 11:59 p.m. Sept. 8, 2026. The sheriff and commissioners urged residents to follow posted restrictions and to register for local emergency alerts.