Montezuma County Sheriff's Office

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Forest Service News Release Three new fires now burning northwest of Dolores, CO

Three New Wildfires Burning Northwest of Dolores, Colorado No structures are threatened; continued growth expected Dolores, CO — June 27, 2026 Three new wildfires were reported today on the San Juan National Forest’s Dolores Ranger District, burning in both Dolores and Montezuma Counties. The cause is suspected to be lightning and will be confirmed by resources on the ground. Yesterday’s storm produced significant lightning with very little precipitation. The fires are wind‑driven and grew rapidly throughout the afternoon, forcing fire crews to pull back from the line. High winds grounded aircraft in the evening. Current Fires Ferris Fire — 250+

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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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Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office Report April – May 2026

Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office Monthly Report – May 2026 Jail Operations During May 2026, the Montezuma County Detention Center housed a total of 131 inmates, bringing the year-to-date total to 698 inmates processed. State Prisoners Adult Male: 81 Adult Female: 33 Total State Prisoners: 114 Municipal (Cortez) Prisoners Adult Male: 11 Adult Female: 5 Total Municipal Prisoners: 16 DCSO Prisoners Adult Male: 1 Adult Female: 0 Total DCSO Prisoners: 1 No Mancos or Dolores municipal prisoners were housed during the month. The average daily jail population generated 1,887 inmate days during May. Inmate Billing and Reimbursement Cortez Municipal Housing Billing:

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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: All restrictions lifted as of October 7. Unincorporated Dolores County: All restrictions lifted as of September 16. Town of Dolores: All restrictions lifted as of October 6. Town of Mancos: All restrictions lifted as of October 7. City of Cortez: Open fires by permit only. Contact Planning & Building Department at (970) 564-4016. Ute Mountain Ute Tribe: All restrictions lifted. Southern Ute Tribe: All restrictions lifted as of September 17. San Juan National Forest: All restrictions lifted as of September 16. BLM – Tres Rios Field Office: All restrictions lifted as of September 16. Mesa Verde National Park:

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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: 928-358-6225caleb.schutz@usda.gov<mailto:caleb.schutz@usda.gov>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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