Evacuation order, pre-evacuation warnings remain in effect for Rio Blanco Fire

No structures lost

Posted

For additional information and updates, please see Rio Blanco Fire prompts evacuations.

Update, 7:18 p.m., July 29:

The Navajo Interagency Hotshot Crew arrived today from Arizona on the Rio Blanco Fire. The crew is tied in on the east side of Archuleta Canyon where a dozer cut fire line running top to bottom at the mouth of the canyon earlier today.
The crew is prepping the dozer line for potential indirect firing operations in case the fire pushes north. Indirect firing operations are a suppression tactic used where the control line is placed away from the fire’s active edge, rather than directly at it. By placing the line farther from the fire, a buffer zone is created. Key considerations include fire behavior, weather, topography and fuel type.
The Navajo Interagency Hotshot Crew began clearing oak brush and other vegetation within 30 feet of the control line to mitigate fire behavior so that the line will hold. This work is critical to accomplish when fire behavior is moderate. Big thanks to this crew for their hard work.
When a new incident emerges, our highest priority is always the safety of personnel and the protection of life, property, and the environment.

Update, 12:20 p.m., July 29:

Firefighters are responding to the Rio Blanco Fire, which started yesterday around 3 p.m. The fire is burning 12 miles south of Pagosa Springs on Valle Seco B Road (NFSR 653.B) and is currently estimated at 439 acres. The fire exhibited extreme fire behavior and grew rapidly in just a few hours, but it received some moisture yesterday afternoon and into the evening that moderated fire behavior. No structures have been impacted but the fire has burned within 1/4 mile of private property on the north flank. The attached map shows the current fire perimeter mapped by aerial resources at 9 a.m. this morning.
Closures/Evacuations: The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office has issued an evacuation order for County Road 335 Lower Blanco, and pre-evacuation orders in place for County Road 337, 339, and Pinion Hills area along County Road 500. The Valle Seco Road (NFSR 653) and all spur roads are closed to the public.  An official road closure will be in place soon. The public should avoid the area north of the Valle Seco Road. Evacuation information will be shared by the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office.
Operations: Firefighters will continue to look for the best spots to access and build containment lines to protect structures in the County 335 area. Aerial resources will be on scene to slow the fire’s spread and moderate hot spots. Deliberate efforts are being made to protect lives, property, and infrastructure, while ensuring firefighter safety.
Personnel: Multiple resources, including engines, dozers, hand crews and large air tankers are on scene, as well as an aerial supervision platform to provide oversight of the fire. Additional resources have been ordered, though competition for resources is high nationwide due to high fire activity. San Juan Team 8, the local type three incident management team, traveled yesterday from the Ferris Fire in Dolores to quickly get in place to take command of this emerging incident.
Reminder: If you fly, we can’t. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) will be implemented over the fire area. More information about the TFR will be posted as soon as possible. Private aircraft, including drones, are not allowed.

Update, 11:50 a.m., July 29:

The fire has been mapped at 430 acres. More smoke and fire activity is expected this afternoon. The U.S. Forest Service posted a video update at www.facebook.com/share/v/1jxbASZh9p/.

Update, 7:37 a.m., July 29:

Firefighters on the Rio Blanco Fire met for briefing early this morning to line out the day’s plan.

The fire broke out yesterday at around 3 p.m. and grew rapidly to 120 acres. Dozers and large airtankers worked to protect nearby homes and slow the fires progress. Archuleta County issued evacuations. No structures have been lost, but the fire burned within roughly 50 yards of a neighborhood.

Today, crews will work on structure protection and to establish an anchor point to safely work from.

Engines and crews are on order, and an aerial supervision platform will be over the fire as eyes in the sky. San Juan Team 8, the local type three incident management team, traveled yesterday from the Ferris Fire north of Dolores to quickly get in place to take command of this emerging incident. 

Update, 6:55 a.m. July 29:

Despite the rain last night, there is still an evacuation order in place for CR 335 Lower Blanco, and pre-evacuation orders in place for CR 337, 339 and the Pinon Hills area along CR 500.

Firefighters will be briefing at 7 a.m. this morning. Crews are working hard to minimize the impact the closure of CR 335 has on residents, however, public safety is of paramount importance, and crews want to ensure that it is 100 percent safe to return.

Updates to the evacuation status will be provided as we understand more during the day.

The call center will be active again at 8 a.m. this morning. The number for the center is (970) 508-9928.


Update, 10:40 p.m., July 28:

Update on the Rio Blanco Fire as of 10 p.m., July 28.: The fire is approximately 120 acres in size, with 0 percent containment. There is a mandatory evacuation order in place for CR 335. Updates on re-entry will be provided as we gather further intel and understand the impact in the morning.

Pre-evacuation warnings are in place for CR 337, CR 339 and Pinon Hills Ranch.

Firefighting resources and personnel have been ordered and are currently en route to Pagosa Springs.

Pagosa Springs High School is the evacuation shelter, and the CSU Extension Building and Fairgrounds will be available for livestock. The Humane Society of Pagosa Springs will be available for smaller domestic animals.

The incident call center will be re-activated at 8 a.m. in the morning. Please call (970) 508-9928.

Update, 9:11 p.m., July 28: The Rio Blanco Fire is estimated at approximately 120 acres in size, burning south of Eightmile Mesa, approximately 12 miles south of Pagosa Springs on Valle Seco B Road (NFSR 653). The cause is undetermined at this time.

Ground crews are on scene sizing up the fire and working to protect structures, utilizing dozer lines, engines and aerial support.

 
The local San Juan Type 3 Incident Management Team 8 has been ordered to the incident and is assessing the best firefighting strategies. The fire received some moisture this afternoon but is very active and burning in steep canyons along NFRS 653. The forecast is projecting higher temperatures with little precipitation for the next week and the San Juan National Forest is taking aggressive actions to suppress this wildfire. Structural and resource protections, as well as firefighter safety, are the main priorities for this incident.
 
Tomorrow, Team 8 will hold a morning briefing to assess firefighting tactics moving forward.

Update, 6:33 p.m., July 28: Pre-evacuation orders are for residents on CR 337, CR 339, and Pinion Hills subdivision off of County Road 500 due to a rapidly growing wildfire. 

Update, 6:18 p.m., July 28: An evacuation warning is in effect for Pinon Hills Subdivision, at mile marker 13.5 on County Road 500 due to fire. There is a significant, imminent threat to the area. Residents should be prepared to evacuate. Persons with special needs or large animals should evacuate now. 

Update, 4:51 p.m., July 28:  The current size is estimated at 35 acres. 

Update, 4:31 p.m., July 28: An evacuation order is in effect for County Road 335. LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. Danger is imminent and life threatening. If you choose to ignore this order, emergency services may not be able to assist you. An evacuation center is set up at Pagosa Springs High School. For more information about the incident, call 970-508-9928.

The fairgrounds will be available for livestock and the Pagosa Springs Humane Society will be available for smaller domestic animals.
 
The Emergency Operations Center is being activated and multiple fire resources have been notified and are en route.
 
Deputies will be going door to door down CR 335 for evacuation notifications.

Original, July 28: An evacuation warning is in effect for Lower Blanco area due to a fire. There is a significant, imminent threat to the area. Residents should be prepared to evacuate. Persons with special needs or large animals should evacuate now. 

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