Oak Fire information

Posted

Evacuation/pre-evacuation  orders lifted

The mandatory evacuation has been lifted. 
 
Entry will require identification confirming residential address at checkpoints. A checkpoint will be established at Oak and Ironwood, off U.S. 160. If you do not have identification tied to the property, you will be escorted to the property upon which proof of residence will be required. The ACSO will have staging points identified as necessary to ensure traffic safety.
 
All fire personnel will still be actively engaged to work on the remaining uncontained 53 percent of the fire. Drive carefully when you drive into the area. Unsafe driving will be monitored closely through ACSO resources.
 
Resources for after a distaster can be found at on the ACSO's website.

The pre-evacuation notice is lifted for residents east of the Elk Park subdivision  to North Pagosa Boulevard and up to Martinez Canyon.

Evacuation centers

Pagosa Springs High School is available as an evacuation shelter at 800 S. 8th St. Volunteers are providing refuge, sharing information, and helping with immediate needs. The evacuation center also provides food, water, medical care and mental health support.

The Humane Society of Pagosa Springs Animal Shelter at 465 Cloman Blvd. is available to take small animals.

The Archuleta County Fairgrounds, 433 U.S. 84,  is available to house livestock. Owners are urged to plan transportation, prepare leads and halters, and bring containers for food, water and any necessary medications.

Emergency call center

An emergency call center has been setup specifically for information related to the current fire: (970) 422-7084. The call center does not have any additional details on when areas will be reopened.

Community notification system

To sign up for Nixle, Archuleta County's community notification system, visit https://www.archuletacounty.gov/services/citizens-alert-nixle/.

Air quality information

The Archuleta County Public Health Department is recommending caution for all residents of Archuleta County. Due to the local fire, air quality will continue to have unhealthy particulate levels with unpredictable pockets of denser concentrations. N95 masks are available for free at the public health department, located at 502 S. 8th St.
 
The following will help limit the impact of current air quality conditions in our community:
  • Reduce or avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
  • People with heart or lung disease, children and older adults should significantly limit or avoid outdoor activities.
  • Stay indoors as much as possible. Keep windows and doors closed.
  • Use air conditioning if available; set it to recirculate to avoid bringing in outdoor air.
  • Masking while outdoors is recommended
  • Regularly check the air quality index (AQI) for our local area and follow  advisories.  AQI information can be found on https://app.watchduty.org/. Click the icon on the right of the app that reads "Layers".  Click "weather," and select the air quality button to see general AQI for the area.

Prescription medication

If you were under mandatory evacuation as posted by the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office and need critical medications, please call your prescribing physician’s office for support. 
 
Those in pre-evacuation, please prepare by having all of your medications packed and ready to take with you, including rescue inhalers.  If you are on oxygen in your home, bringing your oxygen concentrator with you will ensure that you have what you need at the evacuation center or the location you evacuate to.

TRICARE authorizes temporary prescription refill waivers

The Defense Health Agency announced that TRICARE beneficiaries in Archuleta County, Colo., may receive emergency prescription refills now through Aug. 21 due to the Oak Fire.

To receive an emergency refill of prescription medications, TRICARE beneficiaries should take their prescription bottle to any TRICARE retail network pharmacy. If the bottle is unavailable or the label is damaged or missing, beneficiaries should contact Express Scripts Inc., or their retail network pharmacy for assistance.

To find a network pharmacy, beneficiaries may call Express Scripts at (877) 363-1303 or search the network pharmacy locator.

If possible, visit the pharmacy where the prescription was filled. Prescriptions filled by a retail chain may be filled at another store in that chain. If the clinician who prescribed the medication is available, beneficiaries can ask them to call in a new prescription to any network pharmacy.

As a reminder, TRICARE beneficiaries, other than active duty service members, may receive urgent care from any TRICARE-authorized urgent care center or provider and do not need a referral. This allows beneficiaries to seek nonemergency care for illnesses or injuries if their primary care provider is unavailable because of emergencies. Any TRICARE beneficiary who reasonably believes they have an emergency should always call 911 or, go to the nearest emergency room.

Beneficiaries are advised to visit Express Scripts’ Weather Notices page for updates.

Pagosa Springs, Colorado, wildfire, Oak Fire, Archuleta County, disaster declaration

Other items that may interest you

Swiss Roll Fire 88 percent contained

Prescribed burns planned to reduce wildfire risk

Rio Blanco Fire road closure lifted

Forest Service responds to Snow Springs Fire, other …

© Copyright 2026 The Pagosa Springs Sun
Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions