U.S. Forest Service firefighters began tending to a new fire, the Freeman Fire, in the First Notch area of the Columbine Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest over the weekend, with the fire now contained.
According to updates released by the San Juan National Forest, the fire was discovered north of U.S. 160 in the First Notch area of the San Juan National Forest in Archuleta County — in the Piedra River corridor — Saturday night with the fire at 38 acres as of Sunday afternoon, May 25.
By midday Monday, May 26, a Forest Service update indicates, firefighters had completed fire line around the fire and had begun mopping up.
Updates released during the incident indicate the fire was initially active and is in close proximity to lines providing power to Archuleta County.
According to the agency, even after dark on Saturday fire behavior was active with single-tree torching and 2- to 4-foot flame lengths.
Firefighters took direct suppression action on the fire, according to the Forest Service, by digging handline, installing hose lays, and working with Durango Helitack and a medium helicopter for bucket work.
In an update released late Sunday morning, the Forest Service announced it would be using air tankers and helicopters as needed to prevent flames from impacting the Tri-State transmission line that feeds Archuleta County, adding later in the day, “This aggressive firefighting tactic is commensurate with the values at risk. The transmission line brings power to all of Archuleta County.”
On Monday, the agency announced the day’s cloud cover was helping to keep fire behavior at a minimum, and that fire crews would remain on scene in the following days to patrol and mop up.
On Wednesday morning, May 28, the agency announced the fire is contained and only has interior smoldering pockets of vegetation,” with crews set to continue mop up and patrol that day.
The agency notes, “The cause of this fire remains under investigation with law enforcement.”
randi@pagosasun.com
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