Slash Burning - Permits and Regulations.

Burning slash (downed/trimmed tree branches) is a great way to keep your forest clean! However, there are certain rules and regulations that Larimer County has about Slash Burning.  Note:  These rules are Larimer County Rules, not RCVFD rules.  RCVFD cannot make exceptions or grant permission to burn. That means that if you have a slash burn without a permit, or are burning outside permissible conditions, we will extinguish the fire.  Larimer County may or may not fine you - RCVFD has no input of control regarding that.  Since RCVFD is dispatched by the Larimer County Sheriff Department that means that if we are dispatched, the LCSD has already been notified. 

Slash Burning Permit.

To burn slash you must have a valid burn permit and burn during the appropriate conditions.  Here are some reminders/pointers.

• Get your permit from Larimer County Environmental Health on Blue Spruce.  The permit is free, but takes a few days.
  • Click here to go to the new on-line application page
• The permit is valid for one winter/spring season.
• The day you are burning - you must call Larimer County Dispatch at the # on the permit to let them know.  You do not need to call RCVFD - Dispatch will let us know.

Burn Permits expire in the spring.  There is NO slash burning in the summer!!

Burn Conditions.

To burn you must:

• Have 3 inches of snow - everywhere around the burn area (not just in the shade)
• Essentially no wind.
• Burns attended
• Burns out by dark.

Campfires/Bonfires

You can have campfires and cooking fires during normal conditions (anytime there is not a burn ban in place). 

Certainly, you can use wood from your property for that campfire - but having a 'bonfire' which is really a slash burn is not allowed!