Single Publication

Firefighters Hold the Line

Fire start date:   June 11, 2024

Fire size today:  386 acres

Location:  11 miles west of Pagosa Springs       

Personnel:  85

Cause:  Lightning

Containment: 29%

Closures: The fire area remains closed to public entry. Fire activities will be taking place on both sides of NFSR 681 (Chris Mountain Trail) and fire traffic will be heavy so please avoid this area. Crews expect to reopen access to the road within a few days. 

Latest Smoke Outlook: https://fire.airnow.gov/?aqi_v=2&m_ids=&pa_ids=%23

INCIDENT OBJECTIVES:

• Manage hazards to responders and the public using a risk-based approach to decision-making on a continual basis
• Protect critical values at risk
• Reduce the long-term risk to communities from future wildfire events

TODAY’S OPERATIONS:

• Fire crews patrolled and mopped up and secured the edges of the fireline, holding the fire within the perimeter. 
• A drone performed infrared flights for aerial monitoring and no spot fires were found outside the containment lines. 
• Sawyers worked to remove hazard trees that posed a threat to safety or that could fall across the fireline.

TOMORROW’S PLAN:

• Firefighters will continue to mop up and patrol the fireline, as well as remove fire-weakened trees that may otherwise fall across roads.
• Fire managers will begin making plans for rehabilitation of dozer line and other disturbed areas.
• Smoke will remain visible from Highway 160 and Pagosa Springs as interior pockets of unburned fuel, such as pine needles, stumps, and dead and downed trees, smolder and burn. 
• Please do not call 9-1-1 to report this fire.   

WEATHER: 

The fire received slight precipitation on Friday resulting in less active fire behavior overall. A drying trend is expected throughout the weekend and into next week.

Smoke will settle into valleys and other low-lying areas, especially at night and in the early morning hours. Wildfire smoke may affect your health. For more information, please go to:  https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health