Freeman Fire in mop up

Posted

Note: This post will be updated as more information is released.

Monday, May 26

Firefighters have completed fire line and have begun mopping up. Today’s cloud cover is helping to keep fire behavior at a minimum. Smoldering will continue for several days and smoke will still drop into valley bottoms in the evening and early morning hours along the Highway 160 corridor east of Bayfield.

Fire crews will remain on scene in the upcoming days to patrol and mop up. No additional updates will be provided on the Freeman Fire today unless conditions change.

Sunday, May 25

A  fire was discovered north of U.S. 160 in the First Notch area of the San Juan National Forest in Archuleta County Saturday night, with the fire at 38 acres as of Sunday afternoon, May 25.

As of shortly before 8 p.m. Sunday, the U.S. Forest Service reported crews are still working to complete fire line around the fire and expect to have it lined tonight.

According to the  Forest Service, the fire, the Freeman Fire, is in the First Notch area near the Piedra River corridor, northeast of Bayfield on the Columbine Ranger District.

The agency explains in a Sunday morning social media post that "even after dark fire behavior was active, with single tree torching and 2-4 foot flame lengths."

In the morning update, the agency explains that "firefighters are taking direct suppression action, digging handline, installing hose lays, and working with Durango Helitack and a medium helicopter for bucket work."
 
In a late morning update, the Forest Service explains, "Due to the proximity of the fire to the Tri State transmission line in the First Notch area, San Juan NF fire managers will be utilizing air tankers and helicopters as needed to prevent the flames from impacting this critical infrastructure. 
 
"The fire has not exhibited significant fire behavior since firefighters engaged early this morning, but concerns for the transmission line warrant aggressive firefighting tactics. Firefighters have successfully constructed hand line from the fire’s heel to the transmission line corridor."
 
It adds in an afternoon update, "This aggressive firefighting tactic is commensurate with the values at risk. The transmission line brings power to all of Archuleta County."

 
Smoke may be visible from U.S. 160 and in the evenings smoke will settle into valleys and river corridors, the agency notes.