Baca County's Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously July 2, 2026, to enact emergency Stage 1 fire restrictions for all unincorporated areas of Baca County, effective immediately and continuing until further notice.

Sheriff Aaron Shiplett initiated the action after contacting Emergency Manager Jennifer Leathers and Commissioners Troy Bishop, Race Chenoweth, and Shiloh Freed at approximately 10:00 a.m. that day. Board Chairman Commissioner Bishop called an emergency telephonic meeting at approximately 1:00 p.m., at which commissioners, Sheriff Shiplett, Emergency Manager Leathers, and County Clerk Sharon Dubious participated and approved the restrictions.

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The National Fire Danger rating for Baca County is currently Danger, reflecting extreme fire weather conditions — high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds — under which fires can spread rapidly and prove difficult to control. The rating is based on data monitored by the U.S. Forest Service and the USGS Fire Danger Viewer.

The following are prohibited under Stage 1 restrictions in all undeveloped areas:

Building, maintaining, attending, or using any open fire, campfire, coal or wood stove, fireplace, or open fire of any type outdoors is temporarily suspended in all undeveloped areas.

All burning of trash, refuse, or debris is temporarily suspended.

Smoking is temporarily suspended except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or an outdoor smoking area that is hard-surfaced, barren, or otherwise cleared of all flammable vegetation or material. Discarding smoking materials anywhere other than a designated receptacle — including from a moving or stationary vehicle or any outdoor location — is expressly prohibited at all times.

The use of explosive materials including fireworks, solid fuel rockets, blasting caps, or any other incendiary device that may ignite flammable materials is temporarily suspended. The sale, possession, and use of fireworks — including permissible fireworks as defined in Section 12-28-101, C.R.S. — is temporarily suspended.

Outdoor welding, grinding, or use of any torch in any area presenting the possibility of igniting vegetation or combustible material is temporarily suspended unless an adequate water supply and/or fire extinguisher is on site.

Operating outdoor equipment or machinery with an internal combustion engine in an undeveloped area is temporarily suspended unless the equipment is fitted with a spark-arresting device that is properly installed, maintained, and in good working order.

The following are allowed under Stage 1 restrictions, with conditions:

Campfires in constructed permanent fire pits or fire grates within a developed recreation area are allowed, except during Red Flag Warnings.

Enclosed propane, bottled-fuel, charcoal, or wood-burning grills are allowed only in areas free of flammable vegetation and other flammable materials, and only when used so as to present no fire danger to the surrounding area. Outdoor charcoal and wood-burning grills are prohibited during Red Flag Warnings.

All open fires permitted above must be attended at all times, with an adequate water supply and/or fire extinguisher on site while any such fire is burning.

The Baca County Board of County Commissioners, Baca County Sheriff's Office, and Baca County Office of Emergency Management will continue to monitor fire danger conditions and will rescind the restrictions when the Board determines the elevated fire danger has passed.