Mesa County residents can fire up their burn piles again starting Saturday, March 1, as the spring open burning season officially opens across the region. The Mesa County Public Health Department is already accepting permit applications, giving homeowners and farmers time to prepare before the two-month window closes.
The 2025 burn season runs March 1 through April 30 inside Grand Junction city limits and continues through May 31 in unincorporated areas of the county.
Permit Rules Tightened After Last Year’s Close Calls
Environmental Health Specialist Chase Boddicker told KJCT that several factors led officials to keep the current schedule but strengthen enforcement.
“We had a few situations last spring where people pushed the rules and we almost lost control,” Boddicker said. “The dates stay the same, but we’re watching ventilation indexes and wind forecasts closer than ever.”
Residential burn permits remain $25 and are now available online at mesacounty.us/burnpermits or in person at the Public Health office on Patterson Road. Officials say online applications are processing in less than 48 hours, compared to up to a week when people wait until the last minute.
Only natural vegetation is allowed. That means tree branches, pine needles, grass clippings, and orchard prunings are fine. Household trash, construction debris, tires, and treated lumber stay banned.
Zone-by-Zone Breakdown
The county still uses three burning zones with different rules:
Zone 1 (Grand Junction city limits): March 1 to April 30 only
Zone 2 (Fruitvale, Clifton, Palisade areas): March 1 to May 31
Zone 3 (Rural county including orchards and ranches): March 1 to May 31 with fewer restrictions
Agricultural operations with more than five acres can apply for year-round permits if they follow strict guidelines.
Why These Dates Matter More Than Ever
Western Colorado saw its driest February on record in parts of Mesa County this year. The National Weather Service reports snowpack in the Grand Mesa is running at 68 percent of normal, raising early concerns about wildfire risk.
“We’re starting the season with lower humidity and higher temperatures than normal,” said Grand Junction Fire Marshal Mike Page. “That means every approved burn has to be perfect, or we shut the whole program down.”
The health department now requires burners to check the daily ventilation index before lighting up. If the index falls below 500, all burning stops countywide, even with a valid permit.
Safety Rules Every Resident Must Follow
Officials released this checklist for 2025:
- Clear a 50-foot radius around the pile
- Keep water, shovel, and phone ready at all times
- Never leave fire unattended
- Call 911 immediately if it spreads
- Burn only between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on approved days
- Have at least one adult present for every 10-foot diameter pile
First-time violators face $500 fines. Repeat offenders can lose burning privileges for three years.
Free Alternatives Keep Growing
Mesa County expanded its popular chipping program again this year. Residents can drop off branches at three locations for free chipping through May:
- Mesa County Organic Materials Facility (3071 U.S. Highway 50)
- Clifton Transfer Station
- Palisade Public Works Yard
The county also partnered with local tree services to offer discounted curbside pickup in April.
Farmers Welcome the Window
Local orchard owners say the burn season remains critical.
“I’ve got 40 acres of old peach wood that needs to go somewhere,” said Redlands farmer Tom Healy. “Chipping costs me $8,000. A permitted burn costs $25 and two afternoons. There’s no comparison.”
Public health officials say they walk the same tightrope every year, balancing agricultural needs against air quality and wildfire danger.
“We’re not anti-burning,” Boddicker stressed. “We’re pro-smart burning.”
Residents who still need permits have until Friday evening to apply online without rushing to the office. After March 1, officials expect the usual weekend rush that can slow processing times to several days.
The spring burn season has become a Western Colorado rite of passage, marking the real end of winter when smoke starts rising from valleys across the Grand Valley. For thousands of residents, those carefully tended piles represent more than yard waste. They are the first warm days, the smell of spring, and one more way people here stay connected to the land.
What about you? Will you be burning this spring, or have you switched to chipping? Drop your thoughts below and let your neighbors know how you’re handling cleanup this year.
