By Randi Pierce
Staff Writer
The Cinnamon Bear Fire, discovered the afternoon of Oct. 5, was contained at 85 acres Tuesday morning, up from 30 percent containment the prior evening.
The fire, located 11 miles southeast of Pagosa Springs on national forest land, is believed to have been caused by lightning on Sept. 29, according to Archuleta County’s emergency operations website.
Earlier estimates of the fire’s size landed at 110 acres, but were revised following more accurate mapping as the blaze progressed.
According to a press release, a total of 78 personnel battled the fire Monday, including the Sierra Hotshots, two Juniper Valley correctional crews and several individuals from Pagosa Fire Protection District, Upper Pine Fire Protection District, Archuleta County Emergency Management, Ute Mountain Agency, Durango Helitack, Wasatch Helitack, Mesa Verde National Park and the Pagosa Ranger District.
Additionally, one Type-1 helicopter and one Type-3 helicopter were used. Over the weekend, single-engine air tankers made several drops to stop or limit the advance at the head of the fire.
With the first rifle season underway this weekend, the Durango Interagency Fire Dispatch Center is warning anyone heading out into the backcountry to be extremely careful with fire, considering the current dry and windy conditions.
randi@pagosasun.com
