When you plan your Colorado camping vacation, make sure you’re flexible about that dream of sitting around the campfire. They aren’t necessarily a given in Colorado!
Colorado’s naturally dry air and strong winds can lead to short-term and long-term burn bans. There may be little notice to the bans being implemented. These bans are set by local authorities, varying from one campground to another.
Too, some campgrounds are situated in such climates that they never permit campfires, while others follow the guidelines set by their local authorities. Still others enforce more stringent fire bans than their local authorities (sometimes based on the distance to their emergency responders or the overall likelihood that a campfire could further stress the already stressed response system).
How can you know if a campground bans campfires? Ask them!
Sad Facts:
- An average of 1.2 million acres of US woodlands burn every year.
- Most wildfires are caused by people rather than by lightning.
- Wildfires spread quickly, igniting brush, trees and structures.
- Wildfires have been known to burn for weeks or months, causing evacuations to last just as long.
Evacuations are enforced by local authorities. Colorado campground owners are grateful for the assistance that is provided by the local authorities and hope every guest heeds urgent directions.
CampColordo’s list of NEVERs:
- Never discard a lit cigarette, regardless of how close to the filter it has burned; extinguish it completely.
- Never toss a lit cigarette out of the car window.
- Never leave a campfire burning or smoldering; extinguish it completely before walking away.
- Never light a campfire without first consulting the campground staff, even if a fire ring is in place.
While we hope all conditions are perfectly delightful for your campfire smores, CampColorado simply hopes to brace you for the possibility that you’ll need an alternate plan. But while we’re in the mode of informing you on the possibilities, let’s take it one step further.
Imagine yourself on a two-week vacation, hundreds of miles from home, and you’re told that you must evacuate. Is there time to unhook your RV from its campsite or tear down and stash your tent before leaving? Not always! We suggest you read our blog about staying prepare for wildfires to improve your chances.
For more information click here.
This publication is supported by funding from the Colorado Tourism Office, a state agency. Turn to Colorado.com for a comprehensive list of festivals, events, historic areas, itineraries, and community insight.
