Wildfire Season Intensifies & Regional Collaboration Strengthens
This summer, communities from Aspen to Parachute have experienced an early and active wildfire season. The Coulter Creek Fire near Carbondale, the Cottonwood Flat Fire in Parachute, early-season blazes in Garfield and Moffat counties, and large lightning-driven fires such as Turner Gulch, Sowbelly, and South Rim have served as stark reminders of how quickly conditions can escalate.
As the season has intensified, counties across the region have taken steps to reduce risk. Garfield County implemented Stage 2 fire restrictions on July 17, while Pitkin County has been in Stage 1 fire restrictions since June 27, 2025. Understanding the difference is critical for residents and visitors alike. Under Stage 1, campfires are only allowed in designated fire grates at developed recreation sites or private residences, smoking is limited to enclosed vehicles or cleared developed areas, fireworks and explosives are prohibited, and all combustion engines must be equipped with approved spark arresters. Stage 2 restrictions are more stringent – all recreational fires are prohibited, charcoal and wood cooking are banned except in limited developed settings, smoking is restricted to designated areas, welding and hot work require safety precautions or permits, and fireworks, explosives, and tracer ammunition are strictly forbidden. These measures aim to reduce the chance of human-caused ignitions during peak fire danger.
In the face of these challenges, the Roaring Fork Valley Wildfire Collaborative (RFVWC), which launched in April 2024, has emerged as a powerful regional force for wildfire mitigation. In just over a year, the Collaborative has raised $3.7 million and completed seven major forest projects across Glenwood Springs, Basalt, Marble, and beyond. In 2023, RFVWC collaborated with Roaring Fork Leadership through the Academy Civic Impact projects; their team helped design RFVWC’s civic engagement strategy. This foundational work helped the Collaborative gain momentum toward large-scale forest treatments and home-hardening campaigns now benefiting neighborhoods throughout the valley.
As wildfire risk continues to grow, residents can take simple but important steps to protect their homes and communities. Review your county’s fire restrictions so you understand what’s allowed, request a free wildfire-risk home assessment to identify and address vulnerabilities, and get involved with RFVWC by attending planning meetings or supporting local home-hardening projects.
By working together – across communities, counties, and sectors – we can strengthen our region’s wildfire resilience and protect the places we call home.
