Single Publication

Update: November 14, 2023

Type 4, Incident Commander Levi Sensenig, 20 Personnel

The fire danger level is currently HIGH. It is important that forest users completely drown campfires to prevent unintended escape. Use the “drown, stir, feel” method to be sure it's dead out.

Trail Springs Fire | Size: 1303 Acres | Containment: 43% | Cause: Lightning

The fire is located 12 miles northwest of Pagosa Springs, east of West Devil Creek. It is mostly burning through grass, brush and dead and down wood, slowly moving at low intensity. Smoke output has increased during afternoon hours, when the heat of the day has combined with extremely low humidity to increase fire activity. There has been some observed growth along the northwest edge of the fire, but the fire remains east of West Devil Creek. Containment line has been established to protect values to the east. This week, crews have been repairing fireline that is no longer needed, using hand tools to remove berms and move soil and other organic matter back over the fireline. Firefighters will continue to patrol the area, and they are also prepared to respond to any new fires within the Pagosa Ranger District.

Mill Creek 2 Fire |
Size: 146 Acres | Containment: 0% | Cause: Human

The fire is located in rugged, remote terrain near the border of the South San Juan Wilderness Area northeast of Pagosa Springs. No homes, ranches or other significant values are at risk.  It is burning through isolated areas of grasses and pockets of dead and down wood. Fire managers did a reconnaissance flight on Monday, and observed some minimal growth. Smoke may be visible until the fire area gets a significant precipitation event, and may increase if windy conditions return. 

Weather:  Clear and dry conditions continue for Tuesday and Wednesday, but humidity levels during the day will increase to 25-30%. Afternoon winds out of the southwest at 5-9 mph, with high temperatures in the mid to upper 50’s. Overnight low temps will be around 30. Increased moisture in the air is expected later in the week, with a chance for rain or snow going into the weekend. 

San Juan NF Temporary Closures: An area closure is in place involving roads and trails in or near the Trail Springs Fire area (Middle Mountain area). Details of the closure are on the Trail Springs Fire InciWeb page (QR code below) and on the “Alerts and Notices” page of the forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sanjuan/alerts-notices 

Fire Information: 970-426-5370 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanjuannationalforest