The Montezuma County Board of Commissioners announced Tuesday that a fire ban will be in effect beginning at 6 a.m. July 19 in all unincorporated areas of Montezuma County.

According to Resolution No. 15-2023, “a ban on open fires and use of fireworks is reinstated” because of high fire danger in these areas of the county.

“To protect the public health, safety, and welfare it is necessary to reduce the danger of wildfires in those areas,” the resolution said.

This ban follows the Stage 1 fire restrictions implemented in San Juan National Forest earlier this month. The Ute Mountain Ute reservation also implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions this month. Restrictions are also in place on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management Tres Rios Office within Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, and Montezuma counties. Portions of Montrose and San Miguel counties are also included, according to the Montezuma County website.

For more information on fire bans around Montezuma County or to read the full resolution, visit the Montezuma County website at https://montezumacounty.org/fire-restriction-information/.