The Horse Fire burning in Horse Creek has grown to 90 acres; forest closure enacted in fire area

Posted

The Horse Fire is a lightning started fire, burning in the Horse Creek drainage, approximately 8 miles north of U.S. 160 and Chimney Rock.  The 90-acre fire is burning in dense standing and downed dead aspen, dense oak brush and in steep terrain.

Firefighters are using a confine-and-contain strategy to protect the values at risk in concert with the primary objective of firefighter and public safety.

The confine-and-contain strategy includes direct control lines, indirect perimeter control lines and utilizing natural features to limit the spread of the fire. This strategy on the Horse Fire provides the highest probability of success while actively engaging the fire on our terms.

Approximately 60 fire fighters, including a hot shot crew and an initial attack crew are on scene, and additional resources will be arriving this afternoon and tomorrow. Aerial resources continue to assist efforts to limit the spread of the fire in order for fire fighters to build containment lines.

Smoke from the fire is visible from Bayfield, Ignacio, Durango, Hesperus Hill and Pagosa Springs.  The fire was discovered Tuesday, Aug. 28.  No structures or private land are currently threatened.

In order to ensure public and firefighter safety in association with the Horse Fire, the San Juan National Forest has implemented a Special Order closing the area, roads, and trails in the vicinity of the fire to all public entry. The West Monument Road (NFSR 630), Devil Mountain Trail (NFST 600) and the Horse Creek Trail (NFST 689) are some of the more well-known routes affected by the closure. The map below depicts the full extent of the closure, however anyone planning on visiting nearby areas are encouraged to contact the Pagosa Ranger District for current information.

http://www.pagosasun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/2018HorseFire_closure_blk-791x1024.jpg

Details relating to the special order may also be found online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sanjuan/notices/?cid=STELPRDB5245061

For additional information, please contact Pagosa Ranger District (970) 264-2268