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Montezuma County officials recommend countywide fire ban; effective time discussed at 6 a.m. on Wednesday
Summary
County officers recommended reinstating a countywide fire ban because of dry fuels and very low relative humidity. Commissioners discussed setting an effective time of 6 a.m. Wednesday and said a formal vote will be taken at the next meeting; staff also proposed waiving landfill green-waste fees while the ban is in effect.
Sheriff, acting as the county fire warden, recommended reinstating a countywide fire ban citing drying fuels and very low relative-humidity readings. County presenters said area indices and calls with neighboring jurisdictions indicate increasing fire risk and recommended the ban begin July 1; commissioners discussed setting an effective time of 6 a.m. Wednesday and holding a formal vote at the next meeting.
The recommendation followed repeated reports of critically dry grasses and minimum relative humidity readings “running 1 to 5%,” presenters said, and notices that Dolores County, La Plata County and nearby tribal jurisdictions planned similar restrictions. The Forest Service is under a stage‑1 restriction, and county staff said regional firefighting equipment and crews are standing by.
Speakers stressed the need to give the public notice before the ban takes effect. County staff said 24 hours’ notice is typical; 12 hours was discussed as a minimum. Commissioners said the ban would remain in effect until they decide to lift it, and one commissioner noted it could remain in place into the winter months unless conditions improve.
Staff also reported a request from landfill staff that, once a ban is in effect, the county waive green‑waste drop fees to encourage residents to dispose of yard waste and to aid in composting efforts. A staff member said waiving green‑waste fees would “help the county, help out the fire ban, and also help out with the compost.”
No formal vote was taken at the workshop. Presenters said a formal ordinance or resolution will be placed on the next meeting agenda for a vote, with the commission’s intention that, if approved, the set effective time would be 6 a.m. Wednesday. The county also noted the Bureau of Land Management had said it would declare restrictions, but a formal BLM notice had not been received at the time of the workshop.
The sheriff and staff framed the recommendation as coordination with neighboring jurisdictions and federal partners and urged public caution, including compliance with local burn rules and removal of ignition sources while the county remains dry.
Ending: The commission did not adopt the ban at the workshop; staff will prepare formal language for the next meeting, and commissioners indicated the item will be put to a vote at that time.
