Single Publication

Lightning-caused fire in Montezuma County

DOLORES, Colo., September 25th, 2023—The Hope Fire on the Dolores Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest was reported on September 21st at 3:46pm. It is currently burning at Hoppe Point located northwest of the McPhee Dam and Reservoir, east of Bradfield Campground. It is approximately 30 acres in size at this time. Fire managers are working to implement a suppression strategy that involves containing the fire within previously defined and prepared control lines to allow this naturally caused wildfire to reduce forest fuels and improve forest health within those boundaries. Fire behavior so far has been minimal and there are no structures threatened.

The Hope Fire is burning in a prescribed fire burn unit. Local San Juan resources have been working to prepare lines around the estimated 3,000-acre section and will continue this work. An InciWeb page has been established for this incident for up-to-date information.

This type of fire suppression tactic lowers the risk of future catastrophic wildfire by reducing the amount of fuel on the ground and thinning, with fire, surface fuels, the understory and oak brush. Low-to-moderate intensity fire also improves forage for wildlife by creating growing room for grasses and other plants. These efforts align with the Forest Service's 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to increase the use of fire on the landscape as well as other treatments to improve forest resiliency for generations to come.

In today’s plan, fire personnel will continue securing the fire and planned control lines. When weather conditions are favorable and it is safe to do so, firefighters will then add fire, utilizing drip torches to contain the fire indirectly.

Smoke from the Hope Fire may be visible to Dolores, Cortez, and surrounding communities, as well as McPhee Reservoir and travelers on Highway 160 and 491. Hope Fire smoke may affect your health. For more information, please go to: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health

For more information on the Hope Fire, please contact the Public Information Line at or (541) 802 3112 or by email at 2023.hopefire@firenet.gov. 

For current updates, visit InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/cosjf-hope-fire

For information about the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874, visit the forest website, or follow us on social media (Twitter and Facebook). 

-USDA- 

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