Southern Ute Reservation enters Stage II Fire Restrictions

Looking towards the mountains from Ignacio, smoke from the 416 Fire, north of Durango, is visible in the distance, Friday, June 1.
Robert Ortiz | Southern Ute Drum

Due to the current dry fuel conditions and the occurrence of recent wildland fires, Stage II fire restrictions have been implemented for all trust lands throughout the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. Everyone on reservation land is asked to be very cautious and use common sense with fire this time of year.

Stage II Fire Restrictions prohibits acts for the general public, commercial operators and industrial oil and gas operators performing work on the Southern Ute Reservation.

The following acts are prohibited for the general public on reservation lands:

  • OPEN BURNING:  Burning of trash and/or yard waste is prohibited.
  • AGRICULTURAL BURNING:  Burning of crop land, fields, rangeland, debris burning, slash piles, prescribed burning and weed burning are prohibited.
  • CAMP FIRES:  Building, maintaining or using a warming fire or campfire outside of officially designated or developed camp sites is prohibited.  Charcoal broilers and wood and coal stoves used outside of dwellings are classified as campfires and prohibited. Fires for ceremonial sweats are allowed upon notification of the local fire authority and/or BIA Fire office and approval from them.
  • FIREWORKS:  Possession, discharging or use of any type or fireworks is prohibited.
  • SMOKING:  Smoking is restricted to designated areas, within structures or within vehicles equipped with ashtrays.
  • OPERATING EQUIPMENT:  Operating or using any internal combustion engine (chainsaws, generators, etc) without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order.

Commercial and Industrial restrictions are attached or can be obtained from the BIA Fire Office at 575 County Road 517 or by calling 970-563-4571.

Anyone violating the provisions of this fire ban may be subject to prosecution outlined in the Southern Ute Indian Criminal Code.

The Restrictions will become effective at 6:00 AM, June 1, 2018 and will remain until conditions improve.

Click below for more information:

COMPLETE SU AGENCY FIRE RESTRICTION NOTICE, AS OF JUNE 1, 2018

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