{"id":12906,"date":"2026-03-09T21:04:44","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T03:04:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/montezuma-county-officials-urge-early-planning-for-wildfires\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T21:33:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T03:33:43","slug":"montezuma-county-officials-urge-early-planning-for-wildfires","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/montezuma-county-officials-urge-early-planning-for-wildfires\/","title":{"rendered":"Montezuma County officials urge early planning for wildfires"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Great
Great Basin Smoke Jumpers parachute on the Burro Fire north of Dolores, on June 13, 2018. (Courtesy of Gabe O'Keefe)<\/span>du1-i-syn<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

Stack the pile of logs like a pyramid, to burn the largest pieces toward the bottom in the morning light, when the wind is calm. Keep burn piles small to reduce the risk of embers spreading and starting unintended fires.<\/p>\n

Call Cortez dispatch and give neighbors a heads\u2011up. Check weather, humidity and wind conditions. Then carefully light your fire.<\/p>\n

If there\u2019s snow on the ground, you\u2019re in luck.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrush it off, move it around, and if it\u2019s a clean burn: don\u2019t put trash in there,\u201d joked Cortez Fire Protection District Chief Roy Wilkinson. \u201cGet the hot dogs out and enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n

During this month\u2019s Coffee with the County on Monday, local leaders focused on mitigation, safe debris burning, evacuation planning and emergency alerts.<\/p>\n

The hands\u2011on advice for controlled burns is part of a broader message county officials are now pushing. Wildfire season might come early this year, and residents should start preparing.<\/p>\n

Commissioners, the sheriff, fire officials and emergency manager Jim Spratlen advised residents to start preparations now, both to prevent human\u2011caused fires and to be ready if limited outside resources leave the county carrying more of the response load.<\/p>\n

\"Attendees
Attendees listen as Montezuma County officials discuss wildfire preparation during the county\u2019s monthly Coffee with the County meeting Monday. (Anna Watson\/The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Officials say now is a good time to safely burn piles before the countywide fire ban is imposed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe haven\u2019t set a hard and fast date because it may be earlier, maybe not,\u201d Commissioner Jim Candelaria said, noting the county is considering implementing the ban by April 1 because of the lack of snowpack.<\/p>\n

Sheriff Steve Nowlin said the office has already reminded people they are obligated by law to call dispatch before burning.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe message is if you have debris that you are going to burn, plan ahead, contact the local office, contact me, and keep the pile small,\u201d Nowlin said.<\/p>\n

The fire chief said this makes responders aware of planned activity and also advised residents to pay close attention to weather conditions, inform nearby homes and keep piles manageable.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep the pile below 8x8x8, but I think that\u2019s still a little big,\u201d Wilkinson said.<\/p>\n

Nowlin said since burns can get out of hand quickly, residents should have firefighting equipment handy to ensure they can extinguish it.<\/p>\n

Spratlen also warned about common burn\u2011related injuries.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s been a lot of injuries lately,\u201d he said, cautioning residents not to use accelerants. \u201cGasoline is a no\u2011no.\u201d<\/p>\n

State budget raises concern<\/div>\n

County leaders said mitigation and prevention remain the most effective ways to limit wildfire impacts.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the state underfunded, we are potentially going to have a longer duration where we are responsible for these fires,\u201d Candelaria said.<\/p>\n

He said state agencies\u2019 resources may be lacking because of the state\u2019s billion\u2011dollar budget deficit.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell those agencies may not have those resources available yet, well, then we are on the hook for the costs,\u201d Candelaria said. \u201cThese fires take millions of dollars in resources.\u201d<\/p>\n

Because of that possibility, officials are focusing on early messaging and community awareness, hoping to spread the information widely through word of mouth and through public service announcements. Another informational event is scheduled for March 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. Montezuma County Republicans are holding a series of seminars next month with wildlife and emergency personnel focused on reading weather forecasts, preparing go\u2011kits, evacuation planning and wildfire mitigation.<\/p>\n

Preparing for an emergency<\/div>\n

Emergency officials also spoke about evacuation planning and the challenges of responding to large wildfires in rural areas.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur issue is there are numerous lightning strikes and then you just have to get out,\u201d Spratlen said.<\/p>\n

Spratlen said the county has volunteers trained to assist evacuees, as well as to help residents shelter pets and livestock during a crisis.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a community emergency response team. They are underneath the sheriff with his approval and then we have a CART team, community animal response team,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Barns and facilities, such as the Montezuma County Fairgrounds, may be used during emergencies, though owners are responsible for feeding their animals.<\/p>\n

The sheriff emphasized preparing supplies ahead of time, including having at least five gallons of water and generators on standby.<\/p>\n

Any information or updates on a fire ban are posted on the county website: https:\/\/montezumacounty.gov\/fire-restriction-information\/.<\/p>\n

County officials are encouraging residents to create a personal action plan to manage communication with family members. The \u201cReady, Set, Go!\u201d handout is for families to prepare a disaster plan, assemble emergency kits and provide tips for thinking ahead and acting during emergencies.<\/p>\n

awatson@the\u2011journal.com<\/em><\/p>\n