Outdoor burning rules in Larimer County, CO — also called the burn ban, open burning, or fire restriction ordinance — set when you can burn yard waste, debris, or run a recreational fire.
You must obtain an open-burn permit from your fire protection district or the Sheriff's Office (plus an air-quality permit) before burning slash or vegetation on private land. All burning is banned during fire restrictions and Red Flag Warnings.
The ordinance covers slash and vegetation pile and broadcast burning in the unincorporated county. A permit requires an air-quality permit first (from Larimer County Health for smaller burns, or CDPHE for larger ones). Burns must be at least 50 feet from structures, attended at all times, conducted only from sun-up to sundown, and only when winds are 10 mph or less; above 6,000 feet elevation, 3 or more inches of snow are required around the slash. Prohibited materials include trash, tires, plastics, treated wood, leaves and yard waste. No burning during any state or county fire ban or Red Flag Warning.
Knowing violation is a class 2 petty offense: $100 first, $250 second, $500 each later violation. Burning on a Red Flag Warning day: $500 first, $1,000 each subsequent, plus surcharges.
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