Because of the recent and widespread monsoon moisture, Stage 1 and Stage 2 fire restrictions have been rescinded for all trust lands throughout the Southern Ute Indian Reservation as of Wednesday.

Fire restrictions have been in place since early May. During that time, there have been a total of 18 fires on the reservation with the largest being the 220-acre Six Shooter Fire. Southern Ute agency and tribal fire personnel have also responded to fires throughout the Durango zone, assisting on numerous fires, including the 2,000-acre East Canyon Fire near Mancos.

Fire personnel are still responding to lightning caused fires within and bordering the reservation, and fire season is expected to continue through the summer and fall months.

Although the fire danger has diminished, community members are asked to be cautious with fire on reservation land this time of year.

For more information, call Southern Ute Agency Fire Management at 563-4571.