COEmergency

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: June 5, 2026

ARCHULETA COUNTY ENTERS STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS EFFECTIVE JUNE 6, 2026

PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO — Due to persistent drought conditions, drying vegetation, and rapidly increasing fire danger indices across southwest Colorado, Sheriff Mike Le Roux has announced that Archuleta County will officially enter Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.

The restrictions will take effect at 12:01 AM on Saturday, June 6, 2026, and will remain in place for all unincorporated public and private lands within Archuleta County until further notice. This decision aligns local safety measures with neighboring jurisdictions.

"Public safety is our top priority," said Sheriff Le Roux. "With summer heat settling in and minimal moisture in the forecast, the risk of a catastrophic wildfire is simply too high. We need every resident and visitor to take these restrictions seriously and do their part to protect our community."

PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES UNDER STAGE 1:

• Open Burning & Campfires: Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire is strictly prohibited. This includes charcoal briquette grills and coal- or wood-burning stoves on all public and private lands, outside of developed areas.
• Smoking: Smoking outdoors is prohibited unless you are within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or stopped in an outdoor area at least three feet in diameter that is completely barren and cleared of all flammable materials.
• Fireworks and Explosives: The use of all fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, tracer ammunition, or incendiary rounds is strictly prohibited.
• Open Flame Torch Work: Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame is prohibited, except within a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and with a pressurized fire extinguisher immediately available.

ALLOWED ACTIVITIES:

• Developed Recreation Sites: Campfires are allowed only within permanently constructed, agency-provided metal fire grates or rings located inside developed campgrounds and picnic areas. (Note: Rock campfire rings and personal fire pans are not permitted).
• Gas/Liquid Stoves: The use of portable stoves, lanterns, or patio heating devices fueled by liquid petroleum, pressurized liquid fuel, or gas is permitted, provided they can be turned off via a valve.
• Residential Charcoal Grills: Charcoal grill fires remain allowed within developed residential properties, though extreme caution is urged.

Equipment Requirements for Chainsaws:
Operating a chainsaw or any internal combustion engine is permitted only if it is equipped with a properly maintained, USDA- or SAE-approved spark arrestor. Operators must also have a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher and a round-point shovel (minimum length of 35 inches) readily available.

Penalties & Enforcement:
Violations of these county-enacted fire restrictions are enforceable by law enforcement.

The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office urges everyone to download the WatchDuty App and sign up for Nixle Emergency Alerts to stay informed on local fire updates and active incidents.
For more information, please visit the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office website at https://sheriff.archuletacounty.gov/divisions/emergency-operations/fire-updates-and-information/, and the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office page.

To report a suspected fire restriction violation or an active smoke plume, please call regional dispatch immediately at 911 or the non-emergency line at (970) 264-8430.

Pagosa Fire Protection District
Los Pinos Fire District
USDA Forest Service - San Juan National Forest

The 246 Fire on is 2.5 acres. All forward progression has been stopped. Resources on the fire are from the Forest Service, Park County, Lake George Fire Department and Hartsel Fire Department. No structures have been threatened, and there are no evacuations.

Park County Sheriff's Office

Critical fire weather conditions are expected Saturday afternoon for portions of the northern plains. Relative humidity values will reach down to 12% with southerly winds gusting up to 40 mph. Avoid activities that could cause a spark!

Colorado Daily Status Report: June 5, 2026

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BS4Ks3wyaWgowN5srKSGqX9zaSqwGZDq/view?usp=drivesdk

State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC)

▪️Response: Level 3 with DHSEM's SEOC staff
▪️Recovery Level 3: State Recovery Task Force Activated

State Level Lifelines: Stable

Key Weather Impacts from NWS

Fire Weather Watch issued for western Colorado

▪️Warm today. Isolated thunderstorms with gusty outflow winds south of I-70.
▪️Hot this weekend. Critical fire weather conditions for western Colorado.

SEOC Daily Briefing -06_05_2026 05_29 AM.pdf

Today I am issuing a statewide drought emergency to support Coloradans, our economy, farmers and ranchers, and outdoor enthusiasts in the face of one of the most severe droughts in Colorado’s recorded history.

With every county in the state experiencing drought conditions, activating Phase 3 of our Drought Response Plan allows us to better coordinate agencies, prepare for worsening conditions, and support Colorado communities, agriculture, water users, and our environment. State agencies will do their part to reduce water usage at state facilities and I encourage every Coloradan to use water wisely.

UPDATE: At 10:36pm La Junta Police officers located the missing juvenile and he is safe! Thank you for all your help!

*******MISSING JUVENILE*******

The La Junta Police Department is looking for a missing Juvenile Male, Tayvion Muniz, 13 years old, last seen wearing no shirt, black/red pajama pants, and slides. Tayvion is described as 5'01", 110 lbs. Tayvion was last seen heading south towards the middle school from the 600 block of Edison Ave. If Tayvion is found or if you have any information, please contact the La Junta Police Department at (719) 384-2525, option #1.

DHSEM Area Field Manager and the State EOC staff are monitoring these new fire starts for any support or resource needs.

U.S. Drought Monitor June 4, 2026

For the 50 states and Puerto Rico, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows 48.78% in moderate drought or worse, compared to 50.77% last week.

Colorado Daily Status Report: June 4, 2026

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IdvSgOYWL7UIODz0QzLmbAu3DGWeAWVq/view?usp=drivesdk

State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC)

▪️Response: Level 3 with DHSEM's SEOC staff
▪️Recovery Level 3: State Recovery Task Force Activated

State Level Lifelines: Stable

Key Weather Impacts from NWS
No watches or warnings issued.

▪️Critical Fire weather conditions in northwest Colorado.
▪️A few severe thunderstorms are possible over eastern Colorado this afternoon and evening.

drive.google.com