Single Publication

Update: November 16, 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: 1358 Acres | Containment: 43% | Cause: Lightning

Updated mapping shows the fire increased 55 acres in size over the last week. That growth is mostly along the northwest edge.  It is located 12 miles northwest of Pagosa Springs, burning through grass, brush and dead and down wood. During the recent stretch of warm, dry weather, burning activity and smoke output have been increasing in the afternoon hours. On Thursday, higher humidity levels and possible precipitation should reduce fire activity. The fire remains to the east of West Devil Creek, and firefighters have established containment line to protect values to the east. Firefighters continue to patrol the area to make sure fire activity remains within the defined management area.  Crews are also prepared to respond to any new fires within the Pagosa Ranger District.

Mill Creek 2 Fire |
Size: 150 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. New mapping information shows minimal (4 acres) growth over the last week. The fire area has significant pockets of standing dead and dead and down trees, which are fueling much of the fire activity.  No homes, ranches or other significant values are at risk.  Firefighters will continue to closely watch fire activity. Smoke may be visible until the fire gets significant precipitation, and it may increase if windy conditions return.

Weather:  Moisture streams up from the Southwest on Thursday, bringing cloud cover higher humidity and a small chance of morning rain showers. High temps will be in the mid-40’s, humidity levels in the upper 20’s and winds out of the SW at 10-15. Sunny skies return on Friday, but the RH levels remain higher, at 35-40%, with SW winds 8-12. Forecasters say there is a chance for some rain or snow over 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 in the Closures section of this Inciweb site, 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