Montezuma County Officials Urge Early Wildfire Preparation

County leaders say conditions may bring early fire ban, call for residents to plan ahead and safely burn debris now.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Montezuma County officials are urging residents to start preparing early for the upcoming wildfire season, which they say may come sooner than usual this year due to lack of snowpack. The officials are advising residents to safely burn debris piles now before a countywide fire ban is implemented, potentially as early as April 1. They are also emphasizing the importance of evacuation planning, having emergency supplies ready, and being aware of weather conditions when conducting controlled burns.

Why it matters

Montezuma County is prone to wildfires, and with the state's budget deficit potentially limiting resources for firefighting agencies, the county may have to shoulder more of the response burden. Early preparation and mitigation efforts by residents can help reduce the risk and impact of wildfires in the region.

The details

County leaders, including commissioners, the sheriff, fire officials, and the emergency manager, held a public event to provide guidance on safe debris burning and wildfire preparedness. They advised residents to stack burn piles in a pyramid shape, burn in the morning when winds are calm, keep piles small, and contact dispatch before lighting any fires. Officials are also concerned about the potential for an early fire ban due to the lack of snowpack, and are urging residents to start preparations now, both to prevent human-caused fires and to be ready if the county has to carry more of the firefighting load.

  • County officials are considering implementing a fire ban by April 1, 2026.
  • An informational event on wildfire preparedness is scheduled for March 24, 2026 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The players

Cortez Fire Protection District Chief Roy Wilkinson

The fire chief provided guidance on safe debris burning practices, advising residents to keep piles under 8x8x8 feet.

Sheriff Steve Nowlin

The sheriff's office has reminded residents that they are legally obligated to contact dispatch before burning debris, and advised having firefighting equipment on hand.

Jim Spratlen

The county's emergency manager spoke about the challenges of responding to large wildfires in rural areas, and the county's volunteer teams that assist with evacuations and animal care during emergencies.

Commissioner Jim Candelaria

The county commissioner expressed concern about the state's budget deficit potentially limiting resources for firefighting agencies, which could leave the county responsible for more of the response.

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What they’re saying

“We haven't set a hard and fast date because it may be earlier, maybe not. We are considering implementing the ban by April 1 because of the lack of snowpack.”

— Commissioner Jim Candelaria (the-journal.com)

“The 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.”

— Sheriff Steve Nowlin (the-journal.com)

“Keep the pile below 8x8x8, but I think that's still a little big.”

— Cortez Fire Protection District Chief Roy Wilkinson (the-journal.com)

What’s next

County officials are encouraging residents to create personal action plans for wildfire preparedness, and are holding an additional informational event on March 24th to provide more guidance.

The takeaway

With the potential for an early wildfire season and limited state resources, Montezuma County residents need to take proactive steps now to mitigate risks, prepare emergency supplies, and have evacuation plans in place. By working together as a community, they can help reduce the impact of wildfires in the region.