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SU BIA Agency Fire Notice – Rim Road Fire Update 07/28/2025

July 28, 2025 / July 28, 2025 by sbegay

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: BIA Fire Management – 970.563.4571 Summer Begay, PIO – 970.553.0052 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 28, 2025 Rim Road Fire Update Southern Ute Indian Reservation – Fire crews continue to make steady progress on the Rim Road Fire, which remains at 114 acres with no new growth reported since yesterday. The fire is burning primarily in timber and brush, and crews are working diligently to strengthen containment lines using heavy equipment despite challenging terrain. As of 1:00 PM today, evacuation notices have been lifted for area residents. There are 106 personnel actively assigned to the incident. Containment is estimated to be at 25%. Incident commanders are closely monitoring weather conditions, especially the potential for late afternoon winds, which could challenge containment efforts. Fire behavior has remained moderate, but crews remain vigilant and prepared to respond to any changes. The safety of the community and fire personnel remains the top priority as suppression efforts continue. Smoke may be visible to the local communities. For information related to air quality, please go to: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health or https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/…/ambient-monitoring/. To report fires contact: DURANGO ZONE DISPATCH (970) 385-1324 SOUTHERN UTE POLICE DISPATCH (970) 563-4401 ###

SU BIA Agency Fire Notice – Ute 63 100% Contained 07/28/2025

July 28, 2025 / July 28, 2025 by sbegay

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:BIA Fire Management – 970.563.4571Summer Begay, PIO – 970.553.0052 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 28, 2025 Ute 63 Fire Fully Contained – Final Day of Operations Southern Ute Indian Reservation – The Ute 63 Fire has reached 100% containment, and today marks the final day of fire operations. Crews are completing final dozer work near Drop Point 1 and will begin demobilizing remaining resources once that work is complete. The fire will be placed under patrol status and under ownership of the BIA Ute Mountain Ute Agency. The fire, which began earlier this month, burned approximately 530 acres across the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Reservations. At its peak, more than 300 firefighters and support personnel were assigned to the incident. Thanks to their efforts and favorable weather conditions, no structures were damaged, and no injuries were reported. Incident Command extends sincere appreciation to all personnel and partner agencies involved in the response. The strong interagency communication and collaboration played a vital role in ensuring a smooth and effective transition throughout the incident. Thank you to everyone who supported the Ute 63 Fire response effort! To report fires contact:DURANGO ZONE DISPATCH (970) 385-1324SOUTHERN UTE POLICE DISPATCH (970) […]

Statement in Support of Jessie Danielson for Secretary of State

July 23, 2025 / July 23, 2025 by sbegay

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Melvin J. Baker, Chairman – 970.563.2320 Summer Begay, Communication Specialist– 970.563.2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 23, 2025 Statement in Support of Jessie Danielson for Secretary of State Southern Ute Indian Reservation – Last week, State Senator Jessie Danielson announced her candidacy for Colorado Secretary of State. Based on Sen. Danielson’s experience, proven record on issues important to the Tribe, and commitment to defending the Tribe’s sovereignty, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe supports her candidacy. In her decade in the State legislature, Sen. Danielson has been the prime sponsor of major legislation protecting voter access and strengthening Colorado’s election laws. These efforts reflect a long-standing dedication to this work. Prior to joining the legislature, Senator Danielson helped develop the Voter Access and Modernized Election Act of 2013 and ultimately served on the Commission overseeing its implementation after being appointed by then Governor Hickenlooper. The Tribe also deeply appreciates Sen. Danielson’s legislative focus on families, workers, and the environment. She has also been a major proponent of critical legislation protecting workers and families in Colorado and has supported key efforts to protect our environment. She has been a leader in the Colorado legislature in recognizing and protecting the sovereign […]

SU BIA Agency Fire Notice – Mesa Fire Contained 07/23/2025

July 23, 2025 / July 23, 2025 by sbegay

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: BIA Fire Management – 970.563.4571 PIO Summer Begay – 970.563.2313 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 23, 2025 Mesa Fire Contained Southern Ute Indian Reservation – Yesterday afternoon at approximately 1:40 PM, the Southern Ute Agency received a smoke report in the Jefferson Canyon area near Archuleta Mesa, located on Tribal land. Following an initial assessment, the fire was sized at approximately 0.2 acres. Ground crews responded promptly, including one Type 2 Wildland Fire Module and one Type 3 Engine, successfully gaining access to the site. Aerial resources, including two Large Air Tankers (LATs) and one Type 1 helicopter sourcing water from Navajo Reservoir, supported suppression efforts. Thanks to the swift and coordinated response, the fire is now fully contained. Crews remain on scene conducting mop-up operations to extinguish remaining hotspots and ensure the area is secure. The Southern Ute Agency continues to monitor conditions to prevent any further impact to the surrounding environment. Smoke will be minimal in the region. For information on air quality, please visit: https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/justice-and-regulatory/epd/air-quality/ambient-monitoring/ To report fires, please contact: Durango Zone Dispatch: (970) 385-1324 Southern Ute Police Dispatch: (970) 563-4401

SU BIA Agency Fire Notice – Ute 63 Update 07/23/2025

July 23, 2025 / July 25, 2025 by sbegay

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ute 63 Fire Public Information Office – 2025.ute63@firenet.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 23, 2025 Ute 63 Fire Update – July 23, 2025 The diligent work of firefighters has increased containment to 72% on the Ute 63 Fire. The fire remains at 530 acres. This progress was made possible by crews who spent Tuesday out on the line finding hot-spots and verifying containment. Their work was aided by infrared detection of heat signatures within the fire perimeter. On County Road 100, the sole access point for fire engines and heavy equipment, the suppression repair group worked to restore the road to its pre-fire state. Water tenders teamed up with graders to resurface dusty and travel-worn roads by wetting, scraping, and flattening them back to a public access standard. Tomorrow as the incident transitions to a smaller incident management structure, fire crews will continue to collect, return, and rehabilitate equipment no longer needed on the fire so it can be repurposed and sent to other fire incidents across the country. California Interagency Incident Management Team 2 is thankful to its Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Tribal partners for their hospitality and coordination while hosting crews in northern […]

SU BIA Agency Fire Notice – Ute 63 Update 07/22/2025

July 22, 2025 / July 23, 2025 by sbegay

Firefighters continue suppressing the Ute 63 Fire, burning on Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute Tribal and private land near Hesperus, Colo. Due to the team’s persistence and favorable weather, the fire footprint remained at 530 acres and 34% containment. As fire activity subsides, the incident is releasing personnel – currently, 311 firefighters and support personnel are assigned to the fire. On Monday, a Hotshot crew focused on mopping up and locating and mitigating hot spots along the north edge of the fire. Other crews assisted fire suppression efforts along the southwest boundary. Air and ground operations work together, determining the best strategies to meet unique incident objectives. On Monday, Air Operations deployed an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), an invaluable tool available to wildland firefighting. The UAS is a cost-effective way to collect infrared data, which maps heat sources across a large area. This information is used to assign firefighters to crucial locations. Today’s goal remains the same: to keep the fire firmly within its current boundaries. Temperature forecasts are stable through Thursday, but humidity will progressively drop through the end of this week. Firefighters continue mop-up operations along the perimeter. Repair crews are working diligently to restore any roads […]

SU BIA Agency Fire Notice – Ute 63 Update 07/21/2025

July 21, 2025 / July 25, 2025 by sbegay

With methodical tenacity, firefighters continue the work of suppressing the Ute 63 Fire, burning on Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute tribal and private land near Hesperus, Colo. The fire is now mapped at 530 acres and is 34% contained; field observers walked the fireline and confirmed the reduction in reported acreage. Crews worked Sunday to secure containment lines and aggressively search for remaining hot spots through a process called mop-up. Mop-up requires firefighters to sift through the earth looking and feeling for pockets of heat in the soil which could flare up and reignite the fire. When heat is discovered, firefighters dig it out and cool it down with water from backpack pumps, hoses, or even helicopters. Today, the 345 firefighters and support personnel assigned to the Ute 63 Fire are expecting more favorable conditions, with cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and a chance of rain. An Interagency Hotshot Crew will work the fire’s northern edge in Morgan Canyon while other crews extend water systems along the fire’s southern edge – all with the goal of keeping the fire firmly within current lines. Firefighters continue to cold-trail along all of the fire’s edges and patrol for any indications of heat. […]

SUDEP: Cybersecurity & Internet Safety Basics Training

July 21, 2025 / July 21, 2025 by sbegay

The Cybersecurity & Internet Safety Basics Training is taking a rain check 🌧️. The Southern Ute Digital Equity Program (SUDEP) is always listening and looking for ways to bring training that is timely, relevant, and energizing. Stay tuned for new opportunities coming your way soon! 💬💻🖱 SUDEP is offering Microsoft Office training in August. To view these trainings being offered, please get in touch with SUDEP at 970-563-5555 or sign up on the SUDEP website https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/sudep/ Got ideas or topics you would love to see? Share them with the SUDEP team via email at kred@southernute.com.

SU BIA Agency Fire Notice – Ute 63

July 16, 2025 / July 21, 2025 by sbegay

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: BIA Fire Management – 970.563.4571 Summer Begay, PIO – 970.553.0052 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 16, 2025 Ute 63 Fire Southern Ute Indian Reservation – The lightning-caused Ute 63 Fire was discovered on the afternoon of July 13, 2025 near Morgan Canyon on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation. Despite a quick response from Ute Mountain Ute BIA Agency and Southern Ute BIA Agency firefighters, the fire continued to grow through the night of the 13th. On July 14, 2025 the Durango Interagency Type 3 Team (IMT3) was ordered to provide oversight and additional resources to the Ute 63 Fire. The Durango Interagency IMT3 is utilizing airtankers, helicopters, 1 dozer, and approximately 96 firefighters to suppress the Ute 63 Fire. Assisting agencies include Los Pinos Fire, Fort Lewis Mesa Fire, Durango Fire, Upper Pine Fire, San Juan County NM Fire, US Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. As of 11:30 a.m. on July 16, 2025, the Ute 63 Fire has been mapped at approximately 108 acres and is 25% contained. The Durango Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team anticipates increased containment in the coming days, aided by incoming firefighting resources and a slight drop in temperatures […]

ICE Concern Update Letter 07/15/2025

July 15, 2025 / July 15, 2025 by sbegay

Dear Southern Ute Tribal Members, In light of continuing concerns surrounding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity across the country, the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council is providing this update to reassure our Tribal Membership of our active engagement with federal and local authorities. We understand the anxiety and unease, national events have caused—especially among our youth, elders, and families—and want to assure you that we are actively monitoring the situation and engaging our staff to respond appropriately. Our Justice & Regulatory Department is in regular communication with ICE officials to monitor and respond to any potential activity by ICE on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. ICE has confirmed that its current efforts are focused solely on undocumented individuals who have committed serious crimes, have existing deportation orders, and pose a threat to public safety. Should ICE operate within the exterior boundaries of the Reservation it will be done in adherence with the required prior notification and coordination with Tribal authorities, in deference to our Treaty rights, and with full respect for our sovereignty. We strongly encourage all Tribal Members—whether living on or off the Reservation—to carry their Tribal ID and at least one additional form of identification that follows […]

Author: sbegay