Jim Mimiaga/Cortez Journal<br><br>Newly elected Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin tours the aftermath of the Weber Fire with affected landowners on election day.
Jim Mimiaga/Cortez Journal<br><br>Newly elected Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin tours the aftermath of the Weber Fire with affected landowners on election day.du1-i-syn

Montezuma County lifts fire ban

As of Tuesday, the fire ban in Montezuma County has been rescinded.

The ban was lifted “with the understanding that our citizens and visitors will be cautious and responsible with open fires and maintain control of all fires to prevent them from becoming out of control,” said Montezuma County Sheriff Steven Nowlin in a news release Tuesday.

The fire ban went into effect in all unincorporated areas of the county on June 16, after the Montezuma County Board of Commissioners found the threat of forest and grass fires to be high following severe drought and high temperatures.

It prohibited the public from sparking open fires, controlled burns and fireworks.

The sheriff advised the county to follow these rules in Tuesday’s release:

Watch the weather reports and do not burn on any high fire danger day.
Contact your local fire district or the county sheriff for tips on how to safely prepare a controlled burn.
For larger burns, have your fire district inspect your planned burn ahead of time to ensure safety.
Keep controlled burn piles small to allow for a shorter burning time.
Plan to start your controlled burn during early morning hours while temperatures are cooler.
Have a minimum 20-foot diameter area cleared of any vegetation around controlled burn pile.
Burn in a pit at least 3 feet in depth to help control ash and burning embers.
Have a fire mitigation plan that includes hand tools, shovels, plenty of water, fire extinguisher, etc.
Keep the fire under control at all times.
Do not leave the fire unattended.
Make sure your fire is dead out when completed.

While the ban has been lifted, burning while red flag or high wind warnings are active is prohibited.

To make sure these warnings will not or are not already in effect, controlled burns must be called into the Cortez Communication Center at (970)-565-8454 prior to burning.

The sheriff reminded county residents that all fireworks that leave the ground or explode are unauthorized by Colorado State Law.

A fire ban remains effective in Dolores County.

Fire restrictions on open burning were lifted July 27 in La Plata County.

The San Juan National Forest discontinued its fire ban on July 22, allowing campfires outside of camp and recreation sites.