Mountain Manners: Campfires

Keep these considerations in mind while having a campfire:

Campfires are a classic part of summer in Gunnison and Crested Butte, but they come with responsibility. Following burn restrictions and Leave No Trace principles helps protect public lands and reduces wildfire risk.

• Always check for local or statewide fire bans before building a campfire.
• Follow Leave No Trace by using existing fire rings and minimizing wood removal.
• Never leave a fire unattended and fully extinguish it with water before walking away.

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We love a good fire in Gunnison and Crested Butte; it’s hard to beat a campfire on a Colorado summer day. Before building a fire its important to know if there are any burn restrictions in place. These could apply only to specific areas or the state/county as a whole. For the state of Colorado, information on current wildfires can be found on the Colorado Wildfire Information Center.

Before you build a fire, there are a few questions you should ask to ensure you’re following Leave No Trace. The 5th principle of Leave No Trace is Minimize Campfire Impacts.

• How could this fire damage the backcountry?
• Are there any fire dangers because of the time of year and location you’re in?
• Are any burn bans in place?
• Will wood removal be noticeable? Do conditions allow for the wood supply to replenish?

Make your decision about building a fire accordingly based on your answers to these questions. It is very important to follow proper fire guidelines to ensure safety and preservation. The goal of minimizing campfire impacts is to make sure the areas you’re building fires in can replenish their wood supply, and wildfire impacts are minimized. It is best to only build fires in existing rings. If you step away, put it out completely with water (dirt may not extinguish it fully).

Please follow the rules set out by Gunnison County, and if you have questions, don’t hesitate to call the Sheriff’s Office at (970) 641-1113.