Single Publication

Update: November 10, 2023

Type 4, Incident Commander Shane McCracken, 34 Personnel
 

The fire danger level is currently high, so 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

Flurries fell over the fire yesterday but there was no wetting precipitation. Fire behavior remained minimal with backing, creeping, and smoldering observed. Firefighters completed suppression repair work in select areas where there is no threat of fire growth. Yesterday, crews rehabbed a dozer line near the Chris Mountain Fire scar. Today, they will continue patrolling and using aerial reconnaissance to ensure the fire does not breach any control features. Firefighters remain ready to respond to both the Trail Springs Fire and any new fires that start, if needed. The Pagosa Ranger District reduced the size of the closure around the Trail Springs Fire. However, forest users should remain aware that firefighters and equipment will have a continued presence in the area. Please exercise extreme caution on the roads and in the woods near the fire for, both, your own safety and that of fire personnel.

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

This fire is located in rugged, remote terrain near the border of the South San Juan Wilderness Area northeast of Pagosa Springs. With the reduced intensity of wind after the passing of the cold front, fire activity settled down and less smoke was produced by the Mill Creek 2 Fire yesterday. Fire managers expect that smoke will continue to be visible until the area gets a significant precipitation event, and may get heavy again if windy conditions return.

Weather: Scattered to broken clouds will be the rule Friday with cooler than usual temperatures expected. High pressure will start to build in over the weekend keeping generally clear skies in the forecast and this trend will continue for much of the next week. Light winds are expected as high temps slowly increase day by day. The next chance for any precipitation appears to be the end of next week.

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 

A Temporary Flight Restriction is in effect: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_8962.html#areas

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