Because of minimal monsoon moisture, current high temperatures, dry fuel conditions and the occurrence of recent wildland fires, Stage 1 fire restrictions will be implemented for all trust lands throughout the Southern Ute Indian Reservation as of 6 a.m. Friday.
Everyone on reservation land is asked to be very cautious and use common sense with fire.
Stage 1 fire restrictions prohibit acts for the general public, commercial operators and industrial oil and gas operators performing work on the Southern Ute Reservation.
These 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. The fire restrictions do not include charcoal fires (in suitable containers) for barbecues or fires for sweat ceremonies, however, such fires are not to be left unattended and are to be fully extinguished after use.
Fireworks. Possession, discharging or use of any type of fireworks is prohibited.
Commercial and industrial restrictions may be obtained from the Bureau of Indian Affairs Fire Office, 575 County Road 517, or by calling 563-4571.
Anyone violating the provisions of this fire ban may be subject to prosecution outlined in the Southern Ute Indian Criminal Code.
