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FIRE UPDATE: Wednesday - 7/26/2023
Due to yesterday's hot temperature and winds, there were some interior pockets within the fire lines that had burned. These interior pockets were primarily composed of dead and downed trees. The line was not threated and the fire is 100% contained, however, there will be smoke visible for the next several days. The public can expect to see fire traffic to monitor and patrol the area.
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The Chris Mountain Fire on the San Juan National Forest, Pagosa Ranger District was reported on June 28th, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. It's located 12 miles west of Pagosa Springs, north of Highway 160 on Chris Mountain. The fire has been burning in Ponderosa Pine forest on National Forest System Lands and has not crossed onto private property. As of mid-July, smoke may still be visible from time to time, inside the fire perimeter.
Archuleta County issued evacuations for Forest Road 628, effective June 28th, 2023 but those have been lifted. No structures were lost, but some near the heel of the fire were considered threatened, prompting the evacuations. To sign up for emergency notifications, visit the Archuleta County Emergency Operations website.
San Juan National Forest issued a closure order on June 29, 2023 but that has since been rescinded. Closure order information is located on closures tab or https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-publication/cosjf-chris-mountain-fire/chris-mountain-fire-closure
Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team Three (RMA CIMT3) transitioned Chris Mountain Fire back to the San Juan National Forest on July 11, 2023 at 06:00 a.m.
| Current as of | Thu, 08/24/2023 - 18:47 |
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| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Lightning |
| Date of Origin | |
| Location | Chris Mountain, Pagosa Springs |
| Incident Commander | IC4, San Juan National Forest |
| Coordinates |
37° 16' 66'' Latitude
-107° 14' 17
'' Longitude
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| Total Personnel: | 7 |
|---|---|
| Size | 511 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 100% |
| Estimated Containment Date | 07/20/2023 |
| Fuels Involved | Timber (grass and understory), Brush (2 feet), Timber (Litter and understory) Fuels in the fire area include timber litter under closed conifer canopy, and timber with understory in ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and true fir species open canopies. Gambel oak is the primary understory fuel in open timber stands. Timber litter in closed stands is primarily needle accumulation, branches, and rotten logs. Open sites have mixed shrubs and grass, with Gambel oak patches with a thin duff layer.
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| Significant Events | Minimal smoldering.
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| Planned Actions |
The crews are Patrolling and mopping up in DIV A/J using risk management practices for the highest |
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| Projected Incident Activity |
12 hours: The forecast includes the threat of dry thunderstorms with strong outflow winds in the area. 24 hours: Expect very warm and dry weather with west-southwest breezy ridge level winds. Elevated fire 48 hours: There is a slight chance of thundershowers, continued hot/dry conditions with breezy west-southwest 72 hours: Expect well above normal temperature, very low relative humidity, with west-southwest winds.
Anticipated after 72 hours: General weather continues with hotter and drier conditions favorable for very active fire behavior. Temperature climbs mid-week into the 90s with single-digit relative humidity. On-going effect of seasonal drying and recent weather may pose suppression challenges where available fuels are present. Potential for large fire growth may be present. |
| Remarks |
Command of the fire was given back to the local unit at 06:00 on July 11th, 2023. Fire cause is lightning. |
| Weather Concerns |
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