Often yes, but not always. Whether a gas fire pit burn ban exemption applies to you depends on the exact order in force where you live. Many fire restriction orders exempt devices that run only on propane or natural gas and can be shut off instantly with a valve or switch, while still banning wood fires. Others attach strict conditions, and a stricter order can remove the exemption entirely. The only safe move is to read the current order from your county, fire district or land manager before you light anything.
Gas fire pit burn ban rules: what usually applies
A wood fire smolders and throws embers; a gas flame stops the moment the fuel stops. That is why many orders carve out gas devices, and why the wording usually mentions a shutoff.
Here is how several official orders we read treat gas and propane devices:
- El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (Colorado): its fire information page says that under Stage I, fires are allowed at private residences when “contained within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves, fire pits or appliances,” cleared at least 3 feet of flammable material, “with flames lengths not exceeding 2 feet.” Under Stage II the same devices are allowed only when every condition is met, including that “the flame can be completely extinguished by activation of a switch, valve, and/or tip-over safety switch.”
- Boulder County (Colorado): a June 30, 2026 county bulletin listed a Stage 1 exception for “gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized-liquid-fuel devices with functional shut-off valves” and a Stage 2 exception for “devices solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off,” each used in an area cleared of flammable material for 3 feet.
- Coconino National Forest, US Forest Service (Arizona): its fire restrictions page lists a Stage 1 exemption for “a stove or grill that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or pressurized liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels,” and says the same applies in Stage 2 (on forest land).
- Oregon Department of Forestry: a 2026 regulated closure proclamation for the Northeast Oregon district says “propane fire pits are allowed if they are self-contained and 3 feet away from any flammable fuels with a maximum flame height of 2 feet.”
- Snohomish County Fire Marshal (Washington): its August 2026 Stage 2 burn ban notice banned recreational fires in fire pits but stated “propane fire tables and other gas-fueled cooking appliances are allowed.”
Each of these allowed qualifying gas devices with conditions such as a shutoff, a cleared area, a flame height limit or a location. None is your rule unless you live there, and a stricter order can drop the exemption. The order in force on the day you light up is what counts.
Stage 1 vs Stage 2 fire restrictions for propane fire pits
Many Western counties and federal land managers use a staged system. The names are similar from place to place, but the details are not.
| Level | Wood fires | Gas or propane fire pits | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| No restrictions | Usually allowed under normal local rules | Allowed under normal local rules | City code, HOA, lease |
| Stage 1 | Often limited to permanent fire grates or developed sites, or banned | Often allowed if fueled only by gas with an on/off valve | Clearance and flame height limits |
| Stage 2 | Usually banned, including at homes | Allowed in many orders, but with more conditions | Shutoff, location and cleared area rules |
| Stricter orders or closures | Banned | May be restricted or banned | Read the full order text |
Red flag warnings
A red flag warning from the National Weather Service signals that wind and dry air make fire spread likely. It can change the rules even when no stage is in force. El Paso County’s page, for example, says open burning is prohibited during red flag warnings “with or without fire restrictions in place.” Even if your gas pit is technically allowed, high wind is a poor time to run any open flame.
Wood vs gas: why smokeless wood pits are not exempt
A smokeless fire pit still burns wood. It cuts smoke through airflow but still makes embers and stays hot, so it falls under wood fire bans. Our guide to smokeless fire pits makes the same point: most burn bans cover wood fires regardless of design. Gas is where rules can differ, which is the whole reason it is worth checking.
Fire pit rules beyond the burn ban
Fire restrictions are only one layer. Before you buy or light a gas fire pit, check:
- City and fire district code. Many cities have year round fire pit rules on placement and fuel. Our article on fire pit distance from house covers clearances and setbacks.
- HOA rules and leases. Associations and landlords can be stricter than the county, including banning wood or all open flame on decks and balconies.
- Fines. These are real. Boulder County’s 2026 bulletin lists civil penalties of $500 for a first offense, $750 for a second and $1,000 for a third or later violation in unincorporated areas. You can also be held responsible for any fire you start.
Features that help a gas fire pit qualify
Most exemptions turn on fuel type and an instant shutoff, so look for a clear on/off control and safety sensors. Our match lit vs electronic ignition comparison explains how each system works. A propane pit with a tank in the base is also easy to leave unlit and cover on the days an order says no.
Gas fire pits from our catalog with the valve or ignition type and heat output stated on the listing:
| Model | Fuel | Control or ignition (per listing) | Heat output | Price at time of writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPC Fire Portable Sport Propane Fire Pit | Propane | Thermocouple flame sensor and tip over switch | Up to 37,000 BTU | $785.65 |
| Patio Resorts Bermuda 48″ Round Fire Table | Propane, 20 lb tank | Electronic ignition | 56,000 BTU | $2,036.83 |
| Patio Resorts Rome 48″ Round Granite Fire Table | Propane, 20 lb tank | Electronic ignition | 56,000 BTU | $2,036.83 |
| Prism Hardscapes Tavola 1 Fire Table, Coastal | Propane | Key valve, match lit | 65,000 BTU | $3,200 |
| Prism Hardscapes Pebble 56″ Cafe Oval | Propane | Key valve | 65,000 BTU | $2,954 |
| Prism Hardscapes Rotondo 48″ Cafe Round | Propane | Key valve | 65,000 BTU | $3,456 |
Browse more from HPC Fire, or start with our fire pit buying guide. No product listing can promise compliance with a local order, so check the rule first.
Safety when you do light a gas fire pit
- Stay with the flame the whole time it is on, and turn the gas off at the valve when you leave.
- Keep a fire extinguisher or a hose within reach.
- Skip it on windy nights. A glass guard such as the Patio Resorts round fire pan wind guard ($337.77 at the time of writing) helps steady the flame but does not make high wind safe.
- Keep the area around the pit clear of dry leaves and grass, and follow any clearance and flame height limits in your order.
- For natural gas lines, built in burners or conversions, a licensed gas professional and your local code have the final word on installation.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use a propane fire pit during fire restrictions?
In many places, yes. Orders from El Paso County, Boulder County, the Coconino National Forest and the Oregon Department of Forestry all exempt qualifying gas devices in some form, usually with a shutoff and clearance requirement. Some orders are stricter, so read yours before lighting.
Is a gas fire pit allowed during a burn ban if wood fires are banned?
Often it is, because the flame can be shut off instantly. Snohomish County’s 2026 Stage 2 ban, for example, banned fire pit fires but allowed propane fire tables. Confirm with your local fire authority each time.
What fire pit rules apply under a red flag warning?
Some agencies, such as El Paso County, prohibit open burning during red flag warnings even with no restrictions in place. Wind also makes any flame riskier, so the safe choice is to wait.
Want help choosing a gas fire pit or fire table with the controls you need? Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday 9AM to 6PM PST. Orders of $999 or more ship with free freight shipping, and our return and refund policy covers the details.
