Montezuma County Sheriff's Office

Community Announcements

Table of Contents

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions go into effect Forest-wide June 12

Fire Restrictions Expand to Entire San Juan National Forest Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Go Into Effect Forest‑wide June 12 Durango, CO — June 10, 2026 Based on recent wildfire activity and persistent severe fire weather conditions, San Juan National Forest fire management staff will expand Stage 1 Fire Restrictions to include the entire San Juan National Forest, including high‑elevation areas, beginning at 12:01 a.m., June 12. Lower elevations entered Stage 1 restrictions on May 22; now these same restrictions will apply Forest‑wide. Southwest Colorado is experiencing extended drought with continued hot, dry, and windy weather creating a critical fire environment.

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BLM Tres Rios Field Office Implements Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

News Release Bureau of Land Management – Colorado Southwest DistrictTres Rios Field Office Media Contact: John Wroblewski, 970-240-5335Date: May 27, 2026 BLM Tres Rios Field Office Implements Stage 1 Fire Restrictions DOLORES, Colo. — Stage 1 fire restrictions will begin Friday, May 29, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. on all public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Tres Rios Field Office. The restrictions apply within Archuleta, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Montezuma, San Juan, and San Miguel counties, as well as Canyon of the Ancients National Monument. The restrictions align with local orders and guidelines intended to protect public

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A RESOLUTION REINSTATING THE BAN ON OPEN FIRES AND THE USE OF FIREWORKS

RESOLUTION NO. 2-2026 A RESOLUTION REINSTATING THE BAN ON OPEN FIRES AND THE USE OF FIREWORKS WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Montezuma County, Colorado, based upon competent evidence, finds that the danger of forest and grass fires is high throughout the unincorporated areas of Montezuma County; and WHEREAS, the Board further finds that, in order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, it is necessary to reduce the danger of wildfires within those areas; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Montezuma County, Colorado, as follows: Resolution No. 19-2025, which lifted the

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Red Flag Warning

RED FLAG WARNING in effect for Friday, June 26, AND Saturday, June 27 The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a Red Flag Warning for gusty winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels, which is in effect from noon- 9:00 pm on Friday, and 10:00 am to midnight on Saturday. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditionsare either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination ofstrong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures cancontribute to extreme fire behavior. Please help protect our county by staying fire aware and using extra caution.

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Fire Restrictions by Jurisdiction

Fire Restrictions by Jurisdiction Unincorporated Montezuma County: Fire ban in effect as of May 28. Unincorporated Dolores County: Stage 2 Restrictions- effective June 19. Town of Dolores:  Burn ban in effect as of May 28. Ordinance 536 – Open Fires (PDF) Town of Mancos: No open fires or fireworks. City of Cortez: Open fires by permit only. Contact Planning & Building Department at (970) 564-4016. Ute Mountain Ute Tribe: Stage 1 Restrictions- effective May 22. Southern Ute Tribe: Stage 2 restrictions- effective June 19. San Juan National Forest: Stage 1 Restrictions, forest-wide effective June 12. BLM – Tres Rios Field Office: Stage

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San Juan National Forest Stage 1 Fire Prohibitions – Effective May 22, 2026

San Juan National Forest — Stage 1 Fire Prohibitions Order Number: 02-13-00-26-04 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE SAN JUAN NATIONAL FOREST Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited on National Forest System (NFS) lands within Zone 1 of the San Juan National Forest, as described below and shown on the attached maps incorporated into this Order as Appendices A, B, C, and D (the “Described Area”). Prohibited Acts 1. Fires Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or

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Montezuma County Burn Ban simplified

Montezuma County Burn Ban simplified   All open fires and the use of fireworks are prohibited with the following exceptions:                 Commercial enclosed incinerators                 Residential charcoal and gas BBQ grills                 Welding/operating a torch with an open flame. MUST have a 20-foot radius safe zone clear of vegetation and/or a fire watch individual equipped with proper hand tools and fire extinguisher (2.5 gallon pressurized extinguisher, 5-pound ABC extinguisher, or pressurized water supply).       Burn barrel- MUST be covered with a ¼ inch screen and be within a 20-foot radius safe zone clear of vegetation.   Violations of this ordinance

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BLM Phils World Motorized Closures and Re-Routes Map

PUBLIC INFORMATION RELEASE   Date:       February 4, 2026 To:           Montezuma County Residents and Visitors Subject:  BLM Phils World Motorized Closures and Re-Routes Map   The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has announced a Motorized Road Closure and Re-route with the Phils World Recreational Area located north of Colorado Highway 160 between County Road 30 and County Road L in Montezuma County, effective January 28, 2026. The map of the area effected has been placed with this notice on the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office website.  The Avenza map is geofenced, meaning that it can be downloaded to a smart phone

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