As wildfires burn thousands of acres across the Plains and Front Range, Montezuma County officials are warning residents that local fire season could arrive earlier and burn more intensely this year, with dry conditions raising the possibility of a faster-than-normal fire ban.
Large fires in Nebraska, Kansas, Texas and Southern Colorado have already strained firefighting resources, prompting local officials to urge early preparation before conditions worsen and assistance becomes harder to secure.
County Commissioner Jim Candelaria raised concern about worst-case fire behavior similar to a major season experienced in 2002, when Mesa Verde burned.
Sheriff Steve Nowlin echoed that sentiment.
“We have had a dry season. Now it is greening up but the wind is going to dry it out,” Nowlin said. “The weather patterns are showing that.”
The warnings came during a public meeting Tuesday evening that brought together county commissioners, the sheriff, a Dolores fire official and the San Juan National Forest district supervisor. Officials outlined current fire conditions, response capacity and preventive steps residents should take as the region heads into what could be a more active season.
The meeting marked the county’s second wildfire preparedness forum. The public messaging campaign aims to encourage residents to take early steps to reduce risk, including clearing defensible space, following safe burning protocols and preparing for evacuations by assembling go-kits, stocking water and drafting plans for family members, pets and livestock.
“You still have a short window to burn, of course, you have to get permission from the sheriff, but one of the things we are concerned about is having these huge piles and people pouring gasoline on it,” said emergency manager Jim Spratlen during Tuesday’s meeting.
Under county ordinance, residents must call Cortez Dispatch before burning to notify authorities and check for optimal weather and wind conditions.
Dispatch can advise whether red flag warnings or high winds are in effect and ensure emergency personnel are aware of controlled burns to prevent unnecessary responses. Officials said controlled burns are safest when they are small, planned, monitored and conducted in the right weather rather than rushed.
“Just last Thursday, there was a controlled fire that got out of control … this one happened when it burned in windy conditions,” Nowlin said, noting there is a possibility of fourth-degree arson charges if a fire spreads onto someone else’s property.
Officials said removing built-up fuels around yards and homes, such as cleaning gutters or clearing debris from roofs and beneath decks, is a key step in reducing wildfire risk.
They also emphasized keeping driveways accessible for fire trucks and clearly marking rural addresses.
Dolores Fire Rescue Chief Kim Jones said she recently surveyed her home along a hillside and realized she “needs to get busy” with mitigation efforts. She referenced past fires that reached neighborhoods, even within town limits, noting embers can travel for miles and ignite homes one after another.
Jones said the Stoner Fire prompted even part-time residents to take prevention seriously.
“We had a lot of people that only go to those homes some time of the year – they are from Arizona or California – but we had a lot of people do mitigation because when you get in that mindset, you have to do that,” she said. “We all love the trees, but you have to consider where we live. These are all things to think about and keep on the tip of your brain.”
Nick Mustoe, the San Juan National Forest Dolores district ranger, said fires can rapidly escalate when conditions align, including strong, gusty winds and dry fuels in dense forest, creating a perfect storm for fire spread.
He said year-round planning and mitigation efforts determine success when conditions suddenly turn extreme.
“The timber sales, thinning the forest – all of that matters and allows us to be successful,” Mustoe said.
Fire response relies on both local and national resources, he said, and nearly every year the Forest Service reaches its most limited threshold for available resources. When that happens, resources are allocated where the danger to people and homes is greatest.
Officials warned that firefighting resources could be strained this season because of nationwide demand and uncertainty around state-level support.
“We are really trying to get the messaging out because we don’t know what the resources are going to be like this year. We could be on our own this year for weeks,” Candelaria said.
awatson@the-journal.com
