Information: STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS

STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS

PROHIBITIONS:

  1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire.  36 CFR 261.52(a).  This includes charcoal grills.

EXCEPT: Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire in constructed, permanent fire pits or fire grates within developed recreation sites and the use of portable stoves, lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum, pressurized liquid fuel or a fully enclosed (sheepherder type) stove with a ¼” spark arrestor type screen is permitted.

  1. Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.  36 CFR 261 (b).
  2. Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE-approved spark arrester properly installed and in effective working order, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher kept with the operator, and one round-point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use. 36 CFR 261.52 (h).
  3. Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter and in possession of a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher. 36 CFR 261.52(i).
  4. Using an explosive. 36 CFR 261.52(b).  This includes but is not limited to fuses or blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, and tracers or incendiary rounds.

EXEMPTIONS:

  1. Persons with a valid Forest Service permit or contract specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission may be eligible for an exemption from Prohibitions #1, #3, #4, and #5. 
    Any exemption must be applied for in writing, include an appropriate mitigation plan and must be authorized in writing by the appropriate Forest Service official.  The authorization must be in the physical possession of the person or persons undertaking the exempted activities.
  2. Any federal, state, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty, is exempt from Prohibitions #1, #3, #4, and #5.
Alerts
Fire Restriction Status

Unincorporated Montezuma County- no restrictions at this time. Town of Dolores- ban on all open flames, effective June 23, 2025 Town of Mancos- no restrictions at this time City of Cortez- no restrictions at this time Ute Mountain Ute Tribe- Stage 1 fire restrictions, effective May 2, 2025 San Juan National Forest- no restrictions at this time Bureau of Land Management, Tres Rios Field Office- no restrictions at this time   Please use caution when using anything that could cause a spark or fire, even when no restrictions are in effect. Fire danger is currently HIGH in Montezuma County.

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