BIA Fire Management response to East Round Top Fire

Southern Ute Agency Fire Management Office responded to the East Round Top Fire located on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, Saturday, July 23. The fire grew to approximately 10.5 acres as of Saturday night, burning on tribal land in a remote area roughly six miles west of Sunnyside Elementary School. The fire is now 100% contained.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Southern Ute Agency Fire Management, Los Piños Fire Protection District, and Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Durango Fire crews responded. The air attack included a Type 2 helicopter, a 2-seater, and a large tanker.

The fire’s cause is under investigation. The Tribe coordinated with local agencies to ensure safety of the public and to minimize the impact of the fire. The Tribe also worked with oil and gas operators in the area to shut-in facilities in the vicinity of the fire in an effort to mitigate any potential impact from those operators to first responder’s ability to contain the fire.

Smoke was visible from the Colorado Hwy 550 corridor; and to surrounding communities. To observe the air quality status at any time, please visit the Southern Ute Tribe’s Air Quality Ambient Monitor page at https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/justice- and-regulatory/epd/air-quality/ambient-monitoring/. For information related to air quality, please go to: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health

As a reminder, Stage 1 fire restrictions were enacted for Southern Ute Indian Reservation on June 22, 2022 and will remain in effect until conditions improve.

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

STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS

Prohibited acts
General Public:

1. OPEN BURNING. Burning of trash and/or yard waste is prohibited.
2. AGRICULTURAL BURNING. Burning of crop land, fields, rangeland, debris burning, slash piles, prescribed burning and weed burning are prohibited.
3. CAMP FIRES. Building, maintaining or using a warming fire or campfire outside of officially designated or developed camp sites is prohibited. The fire restrictions do not include charcoal fires (in suitable containers) for barbeques or fires for sweat ceremonies, however, such fires are not to be left unattended and are to be fully extinguished after use.
4. FIREWORKS. Possession, discharging or use of any type or fireworks is prohibited.

Commercial and Industrial restrictions 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.

For more information on the East Round Top Fire, please visit the Southern Ute Indian Tribe website, and follow the Southern Ute Indian Tribe on social media.

To report fires contact:

• DURANGO ZONE DISPATCH: 970-385-1324

Info or to report Fire Restriction Violations contact:

• BIA FIRE MANAGEMENT: 970-563-4571 OR 
• SOUTHERN UTE POLICE DEPT.: 970-563-4401

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