Montezuma County Sheriff's Office

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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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Resolution No. 2-2026 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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Fire Restrictions by Jurisdiction

Fire Restrictions by Jurisdiction Unincorporated Montezuma County: Fire ban in effect as of May 28. Unincorporated Dolores County: Stage 1 Restrictions- effective July 31. 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 Southern Ute Tribe: Stage 1 restrictions- effective July 22. San Juan National Forest: Stage 1 Restrictions, lower elevation zone only, as of July 30. 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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The Dolores Ranger District is planning a prescribed burn in the Boggy Draw Area

The Dolores Ranger District is planning a prescribed burn in the Boggy Draw area off FS road 527 (Boggy Loop Road), approximately 5 miles Northeast of Dolores, Starting this Sunday April 19th.We will be burning Units 25A-C for approximately 1212 acres utilizing both aerial and hand ignitions which will be completed over 1 to 2 days of burning, this is all pending favorable conditions and smoke limitations. Caleb SchutzFire Mgmt. OfficerDivison 5Forest ServiceSan Juan National ForestDolores Ranger Districtp: 970-882-6844c: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>29211 Highway 184Dolores, CO 81323 

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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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Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office REQUEST FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

Request for Public Assistance Download Request for Public Assistance (PDF) Request for Public Assistance Notice Date: March 1, 2026 To: Montezuma County Residents and Visitors Subject: Wildfire Prevention Needed The Open Fire Ban in Montezuma County under Ordinance Number 02‑2015 requires that citizens and visitors be cautious and responsible with open fires, and maintain control of all fires to prevent them from becoming out of control. Any planned controlled burning requires the property owner or agent to call the Cortez Communication Center at (970) 565‑8454 before burning, to verify that no Red Flag Weather or High Wind Warnings have been

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Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office EMERGENCY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Download Emergency and Disaster Preparedness (PDF) Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Notice Date: March 1, 2026 To: Montezuma County Residents and Visitors Subject: Evacuation Preparedness Emergencies such as wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters can occur at any time.The Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office asks for your assistance in planning and preparing forsituations that may require evacuation from your home. Everyone can help by pre‑planning and being prepared by considering the following steps: Watch weather reports and stay aware during daily activities throughout the year. Prepare a plan for where you could move and store valuable property—vehicles, RVs,

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