Saturday, a lightning strike ignited a tree on County Road R. Fire crews put out the blaze and cut down the tree.

"The fire season is starting earlier this year than I think people realize," Zion warned.

Also on Monday, a brush fire on Road 17, and a fire in the vicinity of Road 22 and Highway 184 kept fire crews busy, but no more information was available as of press time.

Hot, dry conditions with no substantial rain predicted will ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Firefighters from all local departments as well as the BLM and Forest Service responded to several controlled burns that became unmanageable Monday.

A large fire in McElmo Canyon began Monday afternoon after gusty winds blew through a burning trash pile. The fire quickly spread, engulfing a nearby shed and threatening attached apartments.

"It was an accident," said McElmo Canyon resident Shirley Hopkins. "It was a full bag of garbage that was set on fire, but with a running water hose nearby. I looked away for just a second, came back out and it was just going."

Witnesses said the fire intensified, burning up a neighbor’s field, jumping a ditch and scorching a nearby residence.

By 5 p.m. Monday, according to Montezuma County Sheriff Joey Chavez, the McElmo fire was getting under control, but not before burning up one residence, a motor home, a shed and a granary. He said that he will recommend that a fire ban be reinstated on Monday.

Mike Zion, Dolores district fire chief, said a fire that started on Haycamp Mesa Thursday had been contained, but continued to smolder through Sunday, when it was finally doused for good.

Saturday, a lightning strike ignited a tree on County Road R. Fire crews put out the blaze and cut down the tree.

"The fire season is starting earlier this year than I think people realize," Zion warned.

Also on Monday, a brush fire on Road 17, and a fire in the vicinity of Road 22 and Highway 184 kept fire crews busy, but no more information was available as of press time.

Hot, dry conditions with no substantial rain predicted will likely prompt a county-wide fire ban, officials said.

"It looks like we’re moving in that direction because of the severe conditions," said Montezuma County Commissioner Gene Story.

A decision on whether to reinstitute a countywide fire ban is expected by the commissioners Monday, Story said, after fire chiefs are polled about the situation and give a recommendation to Chavez.