Dolores County returns to Stage 1 fire restrictions, wildfire risk remains
Stage 1 returned at midnight July 31, but Dolores County is still limiting open flames, welding and other spark-producing work as wildfire risk stays high.
Dolores County dropped back to Stage 1 fire restrictions at 12:00 a.m. July 31, easing out of a stricter posture but not out of danger. County officials said the move was a step in the right direction, while making clear that wildfire risk had not disappeared.
For residents, ranchers and visitors, Stage 1 means summer routines now come with tighter limits on activities that can throw sparks or start embers. Open flames, outdoor burning, welding, smoking and other spark-producing work are all part of the restriction picture, which can affect campfire plans, equipment repair, agricultural jobs and recreation across town, along county roads and on public lands.
The change marked a downgrade from the tougher restrictions Dolores County had been living under earlier in the season. Montezuma County’s fire-restriction page said unincorporated Dolores County had Stage 2 restrictions effective June 19, and the Town of Dolores had a burn ban in place as of May 28. A separate Montezuma County page later listed unincorporated Dolores County under Stage 1 effective July 31, matching the county’s own update.
The timing also fit a broader regional fire picture. On July 20, the Colorado State Forest Service said multiple wildfires were burning in Colorado and bordering states, a reminder that hot, dry fuel and windy afternoons can still turn a careless spark into a fast-moving fire. The San Juan National Forest also moved to Stage 1 restrictions on July 30, and county-posted forest information showed land managers across the region were adjusting restrictions as conditions changed.
Dolores County’s wildfire information pages direct residents to sign up for Dolores County Emergency Alerts and to contact Dolores County Emergency Management or the Dolores County Sheriff’s Office with questions. The county’s Stage 2 restrictions page also points people to Forest Order SJNF-2025-13 for the full list of rules, with the San Juan National Forest reachable at (970) 247-4874. Around Stoner Mesa and the county’s other fire-prone country, officials are treating the shift as a partial reset, not an all-clear.
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