Montezuma County Sheriff Steven Nowlin has decided not to suggest a countywide fire ban yet, saying recent moisture and weather conditions warrant giving residents more time to mitigate their properties by safely burning piles.
The Board of County Commissioners said Monday during a meeting they also intend to give residents more time to burn piles. Jim Candelaria estimated the county will postpone a decision “another week or so” after some recent rain.
Nowlin, who consulted with fire officials and federal land managers, said while the ground remains dry, there is potential for thunderstorms and rain Monday evening through Tuesday.
“We have had some recent moisture and some might be coming in,” Nowlin said. “Both the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management are not considering any restrictions right now either.”
Before burning debris, residents are required to call Cortez Dispatch to report their prescribed burns and check for a high-wind advisory or a National Weather Service-issued red flag warning, which means conditions prohibit open flames.
“There’s still time to mitigate, so plan ahead and do your controlled burns,” Nowlin said, adding that the spring green-up is beneficial in the short term.
A fire ban is set by county ordinance and applies only to Montezuma County’s unincorporated areas. When it is called, it strictly prohibits open fires and fireworks when the danger of forest or grass fires is high.
County commissioners, Nowlin and Emergency Manager Jim Spratlen have said a fire ban is under close consideration as drought conditions worsen. They have warned that weather patterns point toward a potentially active fire season that may see limited firefighting resources.
Officials have spent recent weeks focusing outreach efforts on making residents aware of wildfire risks and preparedness. Recent meetings have emphasized clearing fuels around homes, following safe burning practices, stocking up on water and go-kits and preparing for possible evacuations.
Candelaria said in a March public meeting that the county is monitoring weather and fuel conditions with partner agencies and expects restrictions could come “sooner than later,” particularly if dryness persists.
Nowlin also pointed to a small fire response over the weekend as an example of how quickly conditions can change. Dolores Fire Protection District responded to a fire near Forest Service Road 527 on Saturday that spread slightly before being contained.
“It could have been worse if someone hadn’t gone by and caught it,” Nowlin said.
awatson@the-journal.com
