Douglas County and several municipalities have enacted Stage 2 fire restrictions due to extreme wildfire danger, prompting the cancellation of Independence Day fireworks displays across the county.

Stage 2 restrictions took effect Thursday morning in unincorporated Douglas County, including Larkspur and Castle Pines, as well as Castle Rock and Parker, according to officials. Fireworks displays across the county have been canceled or rescheduled.

Douglas County

Restrictions prohibit open burning and campfires of any kind, fireworks including professional displays; chimineas, portable fireplaces, patio fire pits and model rockets.

County officials said the measures were implemented because of continued dry conditions, elevated wildfire danger, an increased risk of human-caused fires and concerns about available firefighting resources statewide.

Activities still allowed under the restrictions include the use of gas- or liquid-fueled stoves, grills and fire pits; residential charcoal grilling when supervised by an adult; fires contained within indoor fireplaces and wood-burning stoves; and fire suppression or fire department training fires.

Violations of the restrictions may result in fines of up to $1,000.

The restrictions also forced the cancellation of the July 4 fireworks display planned at Highlands Heritage Regional Park in Highlands Ranch.

County officials said the county was still finalizing its contract with the fireworks vendor when the show was canceled and will not incur costs related to the event or its cancellation.

Parker

In Parker, officials canceled the town’s July 4 fireworks show and rescheduled it for Veterans Day on Nov. 11 after implementing Stage 2 fire restrictions. Town officials said the decision followed a review of weather conditions, critically low fuel moisture levels and wildfire risk.

The restrictions prohibit open burning of any kind; the use of all fireworks, including professional displays; fires in chimineas, portable fireplaces and patio fire pits; and campfires at developed campgrounds and picnic areas.

Activities that remain permitted include the use of liquid- or gas-fueled stoves, grills, fire pits and other gas- or liquid-fueled appliances; residential charcoal grills when supervised by an adult 18 or older; fires contained within indoor fireplaces and wood-burning stoves.

Fireworks stands have been closed, and residents are being asked to refrain from using fireworks and report violations to Parker Police Department nonemergency line. 

Officials encouraged residents to report violations to the Parker Police Department’s nonemergency line at 303-841-9800.

Castle Rock

Officials described current wildfire conditions as “very high or extreme” and said local conditions are worse than those experienced during the 2002 Hayman fire.

The heightened restrictions prohibit all fireworks, require fireworks stands to close and led to the cancellation of the town’s Independence Day fireworks show. Town officials said they will explore rescheduling the professional fireworks display later this year if conditions improve.

Castle Rock’s restrictions prohibit open fires, campfires, smoking in most outdoor areas, outdoor welding without a permit and the use of combustion engines without approved spark-arresting devices.

Violators may face penalties of up to a $1,000 fine, 180 days in jail or both.

Here’s a list of metro Denver area fire restrictions.