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- fire ban in effect July 2, 2025 Montezuma County Burn Ban Simplified Town of Dolores- ban on all open flames, effective June 23, 2025 Town of Dolores Signed fire ban 2025 Dolores Ordinance 536 Open Fires 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 – Stage 1 restrictions in effect for lower elevation areas MAP Mancos-Dolores Ranger District Port 8.5×11 Fire Restrictions Zone 1 MAP Overview – Land 11×17 Fire Restrictions Zone

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Red Flag Warning
Notice: Red Flag Warning in Effect

Red Flag Warning in effect THURSDAY, JULY 10- NOON TO 8:00 PM     By Montezuma County Ordinance 2-2015 “There shall be no open fires or use of fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Montezuma County on a Red Flag Day” A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

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