Wildfire Preparedness Meeting Targets Four Corners Region This Spring

With wildfire season closing in on southwest Colorado, Montezuma County officials have scheduled a Community Wildfire Information Meeting for Tuesday, March 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the BOCC meeting room at 109 West Main Street in Cortez. The gathering is aimed at residents across the Four Corners region, including communities in the Dolores area, and organizers are framing the timing as critical: "Even one spark can lead to a major fire, so preparation now can make a big difference later."

Local fire officials plan to walk attendees through current fire danger levels, the status of controlled and agricultural burns, and what conditions to expect as the season peaks, including possible burn restrictions that could affect property owners and agricultural operations across the region.

The meeting will also cover practical steps homeowners can take to reduce risk on their own property. Creating defensible space, the buffer zone between a structure and the surrounding vegetation and terrain, is among the mitigation strategies local fire professionals intend to address. Attendees will hear directly from fire officials about how coordinated community action can limit the spread of wildfires before they reach residential areas.

Time will be set aside for questions, giving residents the chance to engage directly with the professionals responsible for managing fire response in Montezuma County.

Note that two KSJD reports list different dates for this meeting, March 19 and March 24. The more detailed KSJD item, which includes the address, start and end times, and full agenda, lists Tuesday, March 24. Residents should confirm the date with Montezuma County before attending.