Information: STAGE 2 FIRE RESTRICTIONS

STAGE 2 FIRE RESTRICTIONS

PROHIBITIONS:

  1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. 36 CFR 261.52 (a). This includes charcoal grills and barbecues, coal and wood burning stoves, and sheepherder’s stoves, and includes use in developed camping and picnic grounds.

EXCEPT: Devices using pressurized liquid or gas (stoves, grills, or lanterns) that include shut-off valves are permitted when used in an area at least three feet or more from flammable material such as grasses or pine needles.

  1. 36 CFR 261.52 (c).

EXCEPT: Within an enclosed vehicle, trailer, or building.

  1. Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame. 36 CFR 261.52(I).
  2. Operating or using any internal combustion engine (e.g. chainsaw, generator, ATV) without a spark-arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order meeting either:
    1. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100-1a; or
    2. Appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practice J335(b) and J350(a). 36 CFR 261.52(j).
  3. Operating a chainsaw without an approved spark-arresting device as described in Prohibition #4, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (8 oz. capacity by weight or larger and kept with the operator), and a round-point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use. 36 CFR 261.52(h).
  4. Using an explosive. 35 CFR 261.52(b). This includes but is not limited to fuses or blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, and tracers or incendiary rounds.
  5. Possessing or using a motor vehicle off established roads, motorized trails, or established parking areas, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the vehicle. 36 CFR 261.52.

 

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, #5, #6, and #7. 
    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, #5, #6, and #7.
  3. Residents, owners, or lessees within the restricted area are exempt from #1, provided such fires are within a permanent dwelling and there is a spark arrestor in working order on the chimney.
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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