The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), Pagosa Fire Protection District and U.S. Forest Service responded to and contained a fire on County Road 500 near Coal Mine Road earlier this week.
The fire, called the Coal Mine Fire, was kept at 11 acres, according to the ACSO.
Archuleta County Sheriff Mike Le Roux reported Wednesday morning the fire is 100 percent contained and is in controlled status.
He added the ACSO continues to monitor the incident and will until next week, at which point the fire will likely be deemed to be out.
Le Roux noted the fire was caused by lightning, though the agency is not sure when the lightning that caused the fire struck.
He added it is suspected to have been a few days prior and the fire manifested after “hotter and windier conditions.”
According to the ACSO, the crews hiked into the fire, which was estimated to be about 5 acres at first contact, at approximately 7 p.m. on July 27.
A July 28 morning update from the agency notes the fire was at 11 acres and firefighters were working on containment lines before heat and wind picked up.
That evening, the ACSO reported the fire was kept at 11 acres and was lined with hand line.
“The helicopter bucket drops proved to be invaluable in battling hotspots and heavy burning timber areas,” the evening update states.
On Monday evening, July 29, the ACSO reported that crews had worked to expand containment lines that day, widening the cold, black perimeter.
“All containment lines held the fire within the boundaries last night. The overcast and humid conditions were favorable and any potential for fire growth was significantly reduced,” the Monday update states.
randi@pagosasun.com
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