Quick Facts
- Follow local, county, state, and federal fire restrictions before using firearms outdoors.
- Include firearms and ammunition in your wildfire evacuation plan, and transport firearms locked and unloaded if you take them with you.
- After a wildfire, carefully inspect any firearms and ammunition exposed to high heat before using them, even if they were stored in a fire-resistant safe.
Introduction
Wildfire preparedness includes planning for the safe storage, transportation, and handling of firearms and ammunition. This resource provides firearm safety considerations for before, during, and after a wildfire.
For additional wildfire preparedness information, explore the U.S. Government’s wildfire resources and Colorado’s Live Wildfire Ready resources.
Before a Fire
Help prevent wildfires
Always follow local, county, state, and federal restrictions on recreational firearm use in outdoor areas.
Be aware of county, state, and federal fire restrictions for your location. Fire restriction stages commonly ban outdoor shooting in areas at risk of wildfire.
Shooting outdoors can spark a fire by striking rocks or from exploding targets.
Stay alert for evacuation orders
If local authorities advise you to leave, do not hesitate.
Sign up for your local emergency notification system and follow local law enforcement on social media.
Consider a free app like Watch Duty, which provides real-time wildfire tracking and notifications.
During Evacuation
If you take firearms with you
Transport firearms locked and unloaded.
Know the laws about transporting and carrying firearms in your location and in any area where you might travel. Laws may specify how firearms must be stored in vehicles.
Be aware that temporary shelters may not allow firearms.
If you leave firearms at home
When possible, take steps to make your home safe for first responders and for when you return.
Guns with chambered ammunition risk spontaneous firing and may injure first responders.
Ammunition stored in a safe, cabinet, or factory cartons presents little risk to first responders if it ignites during a fire, but it can be dangerous when you return home.
After a Fire
If you evacuated, always check with local authorities before returning.
Carefully inspect firearms and ammunition that may have been exposed to high heat, even if they were stored in a fire-resistant safe, before using them. Not all damage is obvious.
If you are unsure whether a firearm is safe to use, check with a gunsmith.
Additional Resources
Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative
Learn more about the University of Colorado Anschutz Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative and its firearm injury prevention resources. The initiative focuses on collaboration, research, and education related to preventing firearm-related injuries and deaths. CU School of Medicine
Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative
Original Firearm Safety in Wildfire Season resource
CU Anschutz also has a dedicated webpage for this specific 2026 resource. CU School of Medicine
Firearm Safety in Wildfire Season
Wildfire preparedness resources
U.S. Government Wildfire Resources
Colorado Live Wildfire Ready
Watch Duty