Fall open burn season begins

Fall open burn season will begin on Friday, September 18, 2026. Following the Mesa County Sheriff's Office decision to lift local fire restrictions, Mesa County Public Health is removing the No Burn Advisory on the same date. The fall open burn season runs until September 30 for the City of Grand Junction, and until October 31 for Mesa County. 

Monitor conditions

MCPH monitors weather conditions and air quality daily. A No Burn Advisory may be issued at any time due to strong winds, extreme dry conditions, or poor air quality. Permit holders must verify conditions are safe before ignition. Burn permits are not valid if there is a Red Flag Warning, fire restriction, or a No Burn Advisory in place. Real-time air quality updates are available on the MCPH Air Quality webpage.

Burn permit applications

Burn permits will be issued starting September 18, 2026. The easiest way to obtain a permit is through MCPH’s online system. The permit will be emailed to you right after check out. You can also apply in person at the Health and Human Services Building at 510 29 ½ Road. Burn permits are valid only during designated burn seasons. If you have questions or need help navigating the online portal, call 970-248-6900 or visit the Burn Permits webpage. 

Alternatives to burning

Open burning pollutes the air and poses a fire hazard. MCPH encourages alternatives, such as composting or wood chipping, if possible. The Mesa County Organic Materials Composting Facility at Mesa County Solid Waste accepts organic materials like leaves, grass clippings, tree limbs, hay, and straw. They are located at 3071 U.S. Hwy 50.