News

DURANGO – July 1, 2013- Durango Interagency Fire Dispatch reports that firefighters continue to respond daily to dozens of smoke reports on public lands.  Most fires have been determined to be the result of lightning strikes and have been contained and/or controlled to single-tree fires of less than 1/10th of an acre; however, at least two are believed to have been human caused.  Below is an update of some of the recent wildfire activity and firefighter response on public lands in the area (in no particular order).

DURANGO – As of 9 a.m., Tuesday, July 2, 2013, the entire San Juan National Forest will be under fire restrictions, with lower elevations upgraded to stricter Stage II restrictions and higher elevations now under Stage I fire restrictions.

VALLECITO – As part of U.S. Forest Service construction on a new road south of the dam at Vallecito, explosives will again be used on Tuesday, July 9th and Wednesday, July 10th between 10 and 11 a.m. each day. 

Durango -- June 30, 2013, 3:30 PM -- Durango Interagency Fire Dispatch reports that firefighters are responding to a dozen new reports of smoke today on public lands; all but one believed to be the result of lightning strikes.  San Juan National Forest and Archuleta County engines and crews have responded to the Fawn Gulch Fire on the Pagosa Ranger District.  That lightning strike is reported at 1/10th of an acre.  On the Columbine Ranger District, Durango Fire and Rescue and Fort Lewis Mesa firefighters are responding to a fire believed to be the result of an abandoned campfire at

June 29, 2013, 5:15 pm --

DURANGO – Following this afternoon’s thunderstorms, firefighters are responding to two new lightning starts.

Durango Interagency Fire Dispatch reports that an engine crew has been dispatched to a single log burning on Missionary Ridge several miles west of Colvig Silver Camp on the San Juan National Forest.

SH 149 IS OPEN, WITH PILOT CAR OPERATIONS DURING DAY, FREE PASSAGE AT NIGHT

US 160 OVER WOLF CREEK OPENED THIS MORNING, AS PLANNED

Special Message:  The Colorado Department of Transportation reopened US 160 over Wolf Creek Pass this morning at 6:00 am.  If fire activity warrants, the highway could be re-closed, so travelers are urged to check road conditions at www.cotrip.org for updated road information. 

Fire Information Meetings: The following fire information meetings will be held: 

June 28, 2013 7:55 pm --

DURANGO – Firefighters contained and controlled the Helmet Fire in the Hogback area northeast of Mancos at 6:22 pm. This single-tree fire was reported at 3:30 p.m.

Smokejumpers have been dropped near the Weminuche Wilderness boundary and are hiking up steep rocky slopes to another lightning strike two miles northeast of Molas Lake. The Whitehead Fire remains limited to a single tree burning above 11,000 feet in elevation.  Smoke is visible from U.S. Highway 550 on Molas Pass.

June 28, 2013,  5:30 PM -- DURANGO – Firefighters are responding to two new lightning starts this afternoon on the San Juan National Forest following afternoon thunderstorms in the high country.  Both are single tree burning at this time in remote areas.

An engine crew has hiked into the Helmet Fire in the Hogback area northeast of Mancos.  This single tree fire was reported at 3:30 p.m.

SH 149 WILL REMAIN CLOSED, MOTORISTS URGED TO CHECK WEBSITE AS CONDITIONS ON BOTH HIGHWAYS COULD CHANGE

June 28, 2013 5:00 PM