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← San Juan National Forest

Pagosa Ranger District Fire Danger & Restrictions

Stage 1

Safety brief

Updated

Moderate fire danger today.

Fire danger is moderate in the Pagosa Ranger District. Backcountry campfires are prohibited under Stage I restrictions, though campfires are allowed in permanent fire pits at developed recreation sites. Propane and gas stoves are permitted with clearance requirements, and welding or torch use requires clearance and a fire extinguisher. Always check current conditions and specific area regulations before your trip.

Restrictions

Campfires and Stoves

Equipment and Work

Shooting and Closures

Backcountry campfiresProhibited

Backcountry campfires prohibited under Stage I restrictions.

Exceptions

  • Device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off in area cleared of flammable materials within 3 feet
  • Fully enclosed metal stove with chimney at least 5 feet long and ¼ inch mesh spark arrestor in area cleared of flammable materials within 10 feet
02-13-00-26-11
Campground campfiresAllowed

Campground campfires allowed in permanent metal or concrete fire pits/grates at developed recreation sites.

Conditions

  • Must use permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate installed and maintained by USFS at developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas)
02-13-00-26-11
Propane fuel and camp stovesRestricted

Propane and gas stoves allowed with clearance requirements.

Conditions

  • Device must be solely fueled by liquid or gas and able to be turned on and off
  • Must be used in area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 3 feet of device
02-13-00-26-11
Welding and grindingRestricted

Welding and torch use allowed with clearance and fire extinguisher requirements.

Conditions

  • Must be in cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter
  • Chemical pressurized fire extinguisher with minimum 8 oz. capacity and Class 2A rating must be kept with operator
02-13-00-26-11
ExplosivesProhibited

Using explosives prohibited.

Exceptions

  • Federal, State, or Local Officers or organized rescue/firefighting service in performance of official duty
  • Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 or written determination that permit not required
02-13-00-26-11

Restrictions last checked

Near-surface wildfire smoke forecast

Estimated AQI*

0max avg 0 µg/m³ around 12 PM

Good wildfire smoke

Next 24 hours

Forecast updated Sep 9, 2026, 6:59 PM

District average10th–90th percentile

* Estimated AQI is an equivalent interpretation of forecast wildfire-smoke PM2.5 only; it is not an observed or official AQI reading.

Hourly wildfire-smoke PM2.5 forecast across the district
Local timeDistrict averagep10p90Estimated AQI*Smoke category
Sep 9, 7:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 9, 8:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 9, 9:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 9, 10:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 9, 11:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 12:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 1:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 2:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 3:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 4:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 5:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 6:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 7:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 8:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 9:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 10:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 11:00 AM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 12:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 1:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 2:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 3:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 4:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 5:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke
Sep 10, 6:00 PM0 µg/m³0 µg/m³0 µg/m³Estimated AQI* ≈0Good wildfire smoke

* Estimated AQI is an equivalent interpretation of forecast wildfire-smoke PM2.5 only; it is not an observed or official AQI reading. HRRR forecasts near-ground smoke; district values are area-weighted, conditions vary by location, and other pollution sources are not included.

Check current observed air quality on AirNow (opens in a new tab)

Recent changes

30-day fire danger history

Last 30 days

Changed from Very High to Moderate on Aug 31.

Open official source

Ratings and restrictions are collected from official source pages and may lag agency updates. Always confirm current fire restrictions, closures, evacuation notices, and emergency guidance with the responsible agency before starting a trip.

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