Fire Restrictions Extended Through July 21; Fireworks Not (Yet) Banned

pinewoodlakewag
Mar 25
4 min read

Updated: May 28

3-25-26: Posted by Lisa Coalwell

Updated 5-6-26 by Lisa Coalwell

Updated 5-27-26 by Lisa Coalwell

Update

The Larimer County Commissioners voted to extend the current fire restrictions to July 21, 2026 (please see previous update below for what is banned and allowed).

Personal-use fireworks permissible by state law (such as snakes, sparklers, fountains, spinners, smoke bombs) are still allowed on private property in unincorporated Larimer County, but could be banned if conditions worsen. Please check fire-restriction updates and use extreme caution if you choose to use such fireworks.

This information on the current extension and fireworks use is from a May 26, 2026 article in the Reporter-Herald newspaper:

The Larimer County Commissioners extended fire restrictions in Larimer County amid dangerous weather conditions, but stopped short of limiting fireworks use, at least for now.

Conditions have improved with recent moisture, said Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen, but dry winter months have still left the area at risk of fire danger, leading him to recommend a continuation of rules instituted earlier this month prohibiting campfires, charcoal grills and other kinds of outdoor burning that could lead to wildfires in unincorporated Larimer County.

He also clarified that certain fireworks, namely those that either leave the ground or explode, like mortars or Roman candles, are always prohibited across the state, unless operated by a qualified pyrotechnics operator with a permit.

“Fireworks are always illegal,” Feyen said. “If it leaves the ground or goes bang, it’s illegal in the state of Colorado. So when we talk about fireworks and fire restrictions for us, we’re talking about the ones that are permissible by state laws. The snakes, the sparklers, the fountains, the spinners, the smoke bombs, those kinds of things.”

The current restriction will last until July 21, but the county commissioners have the authority to implement stricter rules including limiting fireworks at any time, potentially before the holiday if conditions warrant, Larimer County Attorney Bill Ressue said.

Ressue added that the commissioners have the authority, if they did restrict fireworks, to choose whether personal permitted fireworks, larger professional shows or both would be prohibited. Loveland has plans to renew its annual fireworks show this year after a one-year hiatus.

Commissioner Jody Shadduck-McNally said she was worried about the potential danger from allowing fireworks, but ultimately deferred to Feyen’s recommendation.

“I’ll just state, I was really struggling with allowing any kind of fireworks at all,” she said, pointing to the dry conditions and the danger of a serious wildfire, even with the recent moisture.

She pointed to other municipalities across the state that have restricted fireworks more heavily.

“I appreciate your recommendation and that you have the latest data from this morning, and also looking at coming back if we need to, but to be honest I still have a lot of trepidation and wariness about not following Colorado Springs and Fort Collins and others.”

Ultimately, Shadduck-McNally joined her two fellow commissioners in approving the extension without adding fireworks prohibitions.

“I defer to your recommendation, Sheriff, but I do so reluctantly, to be honest,” she said. “Not because of you, I know you’re just running the data and making that recommendation, but I still feel a little wary about this as we get closer.”

Update

The commissioners extended and increased the restrictions through May 26, 2026. Here is an excerpt from the update on the Larimer County website:

As of 12:01 a.m., May 6, 2026, increased fire restrictions for the unincorporated portions of Larimer County go into effect. The restrictions will stay in effect until 11:59 p.m., May 26, 2026. This restriction includes limitations on combustible devices and incendiary devices.

The fire restriction is in effect for all climate zones in unincorporated Larimer County. In order to address fire risk while still accounting for different climate areas, Larimer County has implemented a zoned approach. The county is divided into three zones: below 6,000 feet; 6,000–9,000 feet; and above 9,000 feet. View a real-time, interactive map of the area here: https://aegis.larimer.gov/

Banned today:

Contained Open Fires. This includes open fire in a permanently constructed, stationary masonry or metal fireplaces specifically designed for the purpose of combustion.
Uncontained Open Fires, including outdoor charcoal, pellet, and wood stoves/grills.
Smoking in the open is not allowed, including on trails, parks and open spaces.
Combustible devices.
Operating or using any device with an internal or external combustion engine without a spark arrest device properly installed and in effective order.