For additional updates, see Rio Blanco Fire nears full containment.
Update, 9:02 a.m., Aug. 11:
Per the Rio Blanco Fire team, this will be the last update until Thursday.
Acres: 1,388 | Containment: 91% | Reported: 07/28/26 | Cause: Lightning | Personnel: 154
Current situation: Firefighters on the Rio Blanco Fire continue to make big strides on mopping up and containment, now at 91 percent, as focus has begun shifting more toward rehabilitation efforts. San Juan Team 8 transferred command of the fire to a Type 4 organization on Monday evening, with Incident Commander Jesse Jones continuing to lead the smaller organization. Residual smoke from smoldering downed trees remains visible well within containment lines — and may continue for weeks — but does not pose a concern to firefighters.
Today’s operations: Crews and heavy equipment will continue with suppression repair and land-rehabilitation efforts. Embedded among the firefighters is a designated initial attack crew assigned to respond quicky to any new fire starts in the area that could further stretch firefighting resources. The issue is that vegetation in the area is so drought-stricken that any new ignitions can spread rapidly and be difficult to control. With afternoon thunderstorms bringing the potential for lighting strikes, wildfire danger remains extreme. On another front, the chipping of slash left from firefighting continues along the southern edge of the fire — an important piece of cleanup that helps return the burn area to a more natural condition.
Closures: The San Juan National Forest has multiple road closures in place, including the Valle Seco Road (NFSR 653) and all associated spur roads.
Evacuations: No evacuations remain in place. Firefighters, utility crews and heavy equipment are working in the area completing suppression, hazard mitigation, repair work and conducting patrol operations. Residents are asked to stay alert, drive slowly and yield the right of way to emergency vehicles and fire personnel.
Weather: Today is expected to be mostly sunny with a chance of showers and thunderstorms later in the day. Winds out of the north are forecasted to be 5 mph before shifting to the west at 8 to 12 mph with gusts to 20 mph in the afternoon. Gusty and erratic winds are expected near thunderstorms.
Update, 9:52 a.m., Aug. 10:
Acres: 1,388 | Containment: 79% | Reported: 07/28/26 | Cause: Lightning | Personnel: 184
Current situation: The Rio Blanco Fire has stayed in its current footprint for the last five days while firefighters continue to increase containment. San Juan Team 8 will be transferring command of the fire to a Type 4 organization on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 8 p.m., with Incident Commander Jesse Jones continuing to lead the smaller organization. Night operations’ last shift was Sunday night as there are no concerns about the current firelines holding. Residual smoke from smoldering materials may be visible but are not a concern to firefighters.
Today’s operations: Crews and heavy equipment will remain on scene working during the day on suppression repair and land rehabilitation efforts. Excavators are using buckets to pull topsoil and rock back over the cleared dozer tracks to restore the original mountain slope. Excavator operators also use the bucket to dig diagonal drainage trenches across steep slopes. These "water bars" divert heavy rain away from exposed dirt to prevent mudslides and severe erosion. An initial attack crew is available for any possible new fire starts. Chipping operations continue moving west to east along the southern edge of the fire.
Closures: The San Juan National Forest has multiple road closures in place, including the Valle Seco Road (NFSR 653) and all associated spur roads.
Evacuations: All residential evacuations have been lifted. The fire may be nearly contained, but the incident is not over. Firefighters, utility crews and heavy equipment remain in the area completing suppression, hazard mitigation, repair work and patrol operations. Please keep everyone safe by staying alert, slowing down and yielding the right-of-way to emergency vehicles and fire personnel.
Weather: Today is expected to be mostly sunny with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms later in the day. Winds are forecasted to be 5 mph until 10 a.m., shifting to the west 8 to 12 mph with gusts to 25 mph in the afternoon. Gusty and erratic winds are expected near thunderstorms.
Reminder: If you fly, we can’t. A remporary flight restriction is still in place over the fire area. Private aircraft, including drones, are not allowed.
Follow the Rio Blanco Facebook Page and InciWeb for daily updates, maps and posts.
For air quality and smoke information, visit the AirNow Fire and Smoke Interactive Map.
Update, 9:40 a.m., Aug. 9:
Acres: 1,388 | Containment: 79% | Reported: 07/28/26 | Cause: Lightning | Personnel: 202
Current Situation: With the Rio Blanco Fire held in check with minimal fire activity for another day, firefighters began pulling structure-protection hoses and sprinklers and moved chipping apparatus to the southern part of the burn area to continue rehabilitation efforts. Additional firefighting resources were freed to return to their home units or to help battle other wildfires in the West, while those left behind focused on some of the tedious but most important work of “cold trailing” the edges of the fire to confirm with their bare hands that no heat remains. As a result, the containment figure has climbed to 79 percent.
Today’s operations: A significant number of personnel remain assigned to the Rio Blanco Fire, where they continue to monitor, mop-up and rehabilitate damage to the landscape. Firefighters have been patrolling the fire perimeter overnight, and an initial attack module is available for any possible new fire starts. Meanwhile, residents in the Lower Blanco area are being advised that smoke and flames may be visible in the interior of the burn area for a number of days as remaining vegetation burns off, and those do not need to be reported unless they are threatening the perimeter.
Closures/evacuations: The San Juan National Forest has multiple road closures in place, including the Valle Seco Road (NFSR 653). The Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife has lifted boating restrictions on Echo Canyon Reservoir. All residential evacuations have been lifted. Residents returning to the area are asked to remain alert, use caution around fire crews and equipment still working in the neighborhood.
Weather: A modestly cooler day is in store for firefighters on Sunday, with light winds and some afternoon clouds before clearing overnight. The potential of afternoon showers and thundershowers is on the horizon for Monday.
Reminder: If you fly, we can’t. A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area. Private aircraft, including drones, are not allowed.
For air quality and smoke information, visit the AirNow Fire and Smoke Interactive Map.
Update, 10:15 a.m., Aug. 8:
Acres: 1,388| Containment: 63% | Reported: 07/28/26 | Cause: Lightning | Personnel: 316
Current Situation: As fire crews continued mop-up and containment efforts yesterday, they also chipped piles of slash cut from around homes in Lower Blanco. The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office lifted evacuations for the area, allowing residents to return home after 10 days. Infrared aerial operations revealed several lingering hot spots in the mouth of Archuleta Canyon and scattered throughout the burn area. Firefighters addressed the hot spots they could safely access while monitoring those in areas that were inaccessible. Crews observed very little fire activity along the perimeter and had no issues holding established control lines. With fire activity decreasing and containment increasing, several firefighting resources were demobilized or reassigned to other active fires across the West.
Today’s Operations: A significant number of personnel remain assigned to the Rio Blanco Fire, where they continue to work on containment, monitoring, mop-up and rehabilitation. Crews are extinguishing and cooling remaining hot spots near containment lines, typically working inward from the edge of the fire and ensuring anything that has burned is cold to the touch. A significant effort after every major fire includes rehab, the work of repairing the ground disturbance caused by suppression efforts. Crews are restoring dozer lines and hand-cut firebreaks, installing water bars and other erosion-control measures on slopes, and repairing roads and trails used during firefighting operations — all aimed at reducing long-term erosion and speeding up the recovery process. Firefighters will patrol the fire perimeter overnight, and an initial attack (IA) module is available for any possible new fire starts.
Closures/Evacuations: The San Juan National Forest has multiple road closures in place, including the Valle Seco Road (NFSR 653).Colorado Parks and Wildlife has temporarily closed boating access at Echo Canyon Reservoir to allow aircraft to safely operate. All residential evacuations have been lifted. Residents returning to the area are asked to remain alert, use caution around fire crews and equipment still working in the neighborhood. They are advised they will continue to see smoke and even flames from the interior of the fire for days or even weeks and should not report those sightings unless in locations beyond the perimeter of the burn area.
Weather: Warm and sunny, with a high near 95°F, with increasing clouds through the afternoon. Winds will be light — calm in the morning, becoming west-northwest around 5 mph by afternoon. No rain is in the forecast for the fire area, but a better chance of rain is expected early next week.
Reminder: If you fly, we can’t. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Private aircraft, including drones, are not allowed.
For air quality and smoke information, visit the AirNow Fire and Smoke Interactive Map
Update, 8:15 a.m., Aug. 8:
There is no additional growth on the fire, and containment has reached 63 percent.
Today, crews plan to continue to work in the Blanco corridor on the north side of the fire, continuing cleanup efforts before moving to the south side of the fire to continue cleanup there.
Crews will stay on the fire until "appreciable" rain is received to continue cleanup, respond to unexpected increased fire behavior or additional starts on the Pagosa Ranger District. Some resources, however, will move to other fires where communities are threatened.
Update, 8:55 a.m., Aug. 7:
Acres: 1,388 | Containment: 55% | Reported: 07/28/26 | Cause: Lightning | Personnel: 345
Current situation: The Archuleta County sheriff lifted all mandatory evacuations and pre-evacuations, effective at 1 p.m. today. Residents are urged to be alert and watch for firefighters and fire traffic as suppression efforts continue. Fire crews saw very little fire activity yesterday and had no issues holding control lines. While the containment estimate did not increase, the team has made steady progress securing and reinforcing containment lines. The high temperatures and dry conditions allow fuels to consume completely within the fire perimeter, which aids in the mop-up effort.
Today’s operations: Fire operations have combined the five previous divisions into two, Division M on the north side and Division A on the south side. Crews are performing mop-up operations to extinguish residual fire and prevent rekindling near control lines. This process involves extinguishing or removing burning material, felling fire-damaged trees and cooling ash pits to create a fire line that is more secure. They will be chipping woody debris in the Aspen Road area and along County Road 335. Firefighters will continue to patrol the fire perimeter overnight, and an initial attack module is available for any possible new fire starts.
Closures/evacuations: The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office has lifted the pre-evacuation order for Zone 2 (county roads 337 and 339). The mandatory evacuation order for County Road 335, Lower Blanco, will be lifted at 1 p.m. today. Contact the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office at (970) 508-9928 for more information about re-entry. The San Juan National Forest has multiple road closures in place, including the Valle Seco Road (NFSR 653). Colorado Parks and Wildlife has temporarily closed boating access at Echo Canyon Reservoir to allow aircraft to safely operate.
Weather: Today the weather will be partly cloudy and a stray shower or thunderstorm remains possible. Temperatures will be 87-92 degrees with relative humidity between 8 and 13 percent. Winds will be southwest 8-15 mph with gusts up to 20 mph.
Reminder: If you fly, we can’t. A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area. Private aircraft, including drones, are not allowed.
For air quality and smoke information, visit the AirNow Fire and Smoke Interactive Map.
Update, 8 a.m., Aug. 7:
Good morning from the Rio Blanco Fire -- and it is a good morning: Residents evacuated from the Lower Blanco area will be returning home at 1 p.m. today.
For property owners not directly affected by these mitigation efforts, this is what we mean by "creating defensible space." Learn more about creating defensible space around your home here: https://csfs.colostate.edu/.../04/2021_CSFS_HIZGuide_Web.pdf.
Update, 4:50 p.m., Aug. 6:
In response to the immense efforts made by fire personnel over the last few days, the Archuleta County Sheriff's Office and Rio Blanco Fire Incident Management Team will officially life the mandatory evacuation order status for Zone 1 for residents in the affected areas of the Rio Blanco Fire at 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7.
Zone 1 is defined as County Road 335, including all roads accessed from County Road 335.
Local traffic only is requested on connecting roadways to allow fire personnel, heavy equipment and emergency vehicles continued unhindered access to active operations.
The speed limit along County Road 335 has been temporarily reduced and posted as 20 mph. This will be enforceable. The speed limit will be reinstates to its original posting of 30 mph upon demobilization of all fire personnel and equipment.
Residents across Archuleta County should remain vigilant as fire suppression, mop-up operations and air support continue in nearby remote areas. Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in effect for the area.
Expect increased emergency vehicle traffic on major and minor access roads. ATV, UTV and side-by-side vehicles are prohibited on county roads.
Moderate smoke may remain visible in low-lying canyons and along the U.S. 84 corridor. Sensitive groups should limit prolonged outdoor exertion if smoke settles in neighborhood areas.
Fire conditions can change rapidly with afternoon weather shifts.
Re-entry will begin at 1 p.m. on Aug. 7.
Staging for the re-entry process will be open and available from 12:30 p.m. on. Onces the staging area is full, traffic will be diverted until space becomes available. Please be conscious of U.S. 84 traffic. County Road 337 will be utilized as the staging area. Colorado State Patrol will be there to guide you into the south entrance of County Road 337. Follow County Road 337 to the northern exit, where you will be staged in place to away instructions to proceed to County Road 335. The checkpoint at County Road 335 will process up to eight vehicles at a time. Colorado State Patrol will release vehicles as slots become available.
Please have in your possession:
• Photo identification: Government-issued photo ID showing your full name.
• Proof of residency or property ownership.
For property owners: A driver's license with physical address matching the entry zone is sufficient. If your ID reflects a different address, present a recent property tax bill, deed, mortgage statement or home insurance policy showing the property address alongside your photo ID.
For renters: An active lease/rental agreement, utility bill dated within the last 30-60 days matching your name and the evacuation zone address, or a formal letter from the property owner/property manager.
Personnel will be at the staging area providing hard copy information on available resources, as well as what to expect for the following days and weeks.
Update, 11:30 a.m., Aug. 6:
Effective immediately, the Archuleta County Sheriff's Office and Rio Blanco Fire Incident Management Team have officially lifted the pre-evacuation order for Zone 2 residents in the affected areas of the Rio Blanco Fire.
Zone 2 is defined as County Road 337, County Road 339 and properties east of U.S. 84, south of mile marker 19 to mile marker 17.5.
Fire crews have made significant progress in establishing containment lines and mitigating threats to structures in these sectors. As a result, conditions have stabilized sufficiently to allow residents in Zone 2 to resume normal daily activities without the necessity to remain on standby for evacuation.
Local traffic only is requested on connecting roadways to allow fire personnel, heavy equipment and emergency vehicles continued unhindered access to active operations.
Residents across Archuleta County should remain vigilant as fire suppression, mop-up operations and air support continue in nearby remote areas. Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in effect for the area.
Residents are urged to maintain registration with local emergency alert systems.
"We want to thank our community members for their patience and cooperation during this evacuation warning," the office stated. "The hard work of multi-agency wildland firefighting resources, hotshot crews, and local emergency personnel has allowed us to safely lift this status. However, please continue to yield to emergency equipment operating near active fires."
Update, 11:04 a.m., Aug. 6:
Fire behavior has significantly decreased in the Lower Blanco and firefighters are focused on mopping up, removing residual heat and hazards around homes.
Update, 9:21 a.m., Aug. 6:
Yesterday, firefighters worked to bring the fire from Frio Canyon down to the end of Rainbow Road and the Lower Rio Blanco to the west, tying it into the “black” (burned area) created by the nighttime aerial ignitions over the past several evenings. A heavy helicopter supported firefighters on the ground, making 15 water drops to help cool the perimeter. Crews increased
Today’s operations: Crews will work to clean up the containment lines around the fire perimeter, felling snags,
Closures/evacuations: The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office has lifted the pre-evacuation order for the Pinion Hills area along County Road 500. The evacuation order for County Road 335 Lower Blanco and pre-evacuation order for County Roads 337 and 339 remain in place. Contact the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office at (970) 508-9928 for more information about evacuations and private land closures. The San Juan National Forest has multiple road closures in place, including the Valle Seco Road (NFSR 653). Colorado Parks and Wildlife has temporarily closed boating access at Echo Canyon Reservoir to allow aircraft to safely operate.
Weather: Hot and dry weather will continue Thursday and Friday with temperatures forecast in the mid-90s. Moisture will gradually begin to increase by the weekend, but the chance of wetting rain remains low.
Reminder: If you fly, we can’t. A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area. Private aircraft, including drones, are not allowed.
Update, 8:09 a.m., Aug. 6:
On Wednesday, mop-up was the focus of firefighter efforts in Division M (Mike). Members of the Colorado River handcrew performed mop-up operations along Rainbow Road. This very important work must be completed after active fire behavior affects the landscape. Crews utilize a hose lay to douse any areas that are smoking or have smoldering fuels such as roots, logs or leaf litter near the edge of the control line. This work also involves felling hazardous trees and checking for heat utilizing a technique called “cold trailing,” which requires the firefighter to carefully check for heat with the back of bare hands. This diligent work, along with the use of aerial heat detection technology, allows us to determine with accuracy the success of a contained fire line.
Update, 6:18 p.m., Aug. 5:
The Rio Blanco Fire had a multi mission aircraft flight over the fire area this morning to measure the fire perimeter. Firefighters then ground-truthed that data by walking the fire's edge and transmitting that path to GIS Specialists to confirm the greatest degree of accuracy. Their calculations revealed an acreage that is now 1,388 acres and an impressive 55 percent containment.
We'd like to take a moment to thank these hard-working folks who provide this critical information, not only for public distribution but also for our firefighters on the ground and fire managers at ICP. Data comes in at all hours of the day and night, and maps are produced around the clock to provide the most up to date and accurate information for incident personnel and the public.
For older fire information, see Rio Blanco Fire prompts evacuations.
This has been changed to provide corrected pre-evacuation information from the ACSO.
The Rio Blanco Fire burning 12 miles south of Pagosa Springs entered its second week on Tuesday after starting at about 3 p.m. on July 28.
Evacuation orders related to the fire also entered their second week Tuesday.
As of Wednesday morning, Aug. 5, the fire was reported to be 1,246 acres with 12 percent containment, with no structures reported to be damaged or lost and progress continuing on structure protection and containment lines.
“Hot and dry weather persisted on Tuesday, causing a significant uptick in fire behavior,” The Rio Blanco Fire Incident Management Team reported Wednesday. “Crews worked hard to hold the lines while the fire exhibited intense surface-level activity and frequent group torching. The fire has made its way to the plumbed control lines on Rainbow and Aspen roads and mop up has begun around homes.”
The team also reported that containment increased on the southern side of the fire.
“No structures have been damaged or lost as of the writing of this update and fire managers are feeling optimistic about the progress that is being made,” the team wrote Wednesday.”
It adds that,in the U.S. 84 corridor, “structure assessments and protection plans are complete and ready to implement, if necessary. Crews extended a hose lay from the end of the 008 into the Lower Blanco valley along the contingency line that was constructed over the past two days. Along the east and south perimeters, firefighters held the lines, preventing any fire growth in these directions. Frio Canyon presented a challenge yesterday, with the fire aggressively backing almost to the mouth of the canyon. A significant amount of smoke was produced by this heightened activity and both helicopters and air tankers supported firefighters on the ground to keep the fire’s intensity in check.”
The update indicates work continued on the west end of County Road 335.
“On the west end of CR 335, the homes have been scouted and protection plans developed,” it states. Water sources have been established and a cache of structure protection equipment is available if it needs to be deployed. Crews in this area are watching for spot fires thrown out of Frio Canyon into the valley below and will extinguish them. Aircraft were utilized to knock down flare-ups of group torching to limit spotting. A swing shift and a night shift will be assigned to the 335 corridor to keep watch and take action if needed.
On Wednesday, the incident management team explains, crews aimed to maintain staffing to hold the containment lines, to use firing operations in Frio Canyon to “bring the fire out of the mouth of the canyon, where they can engage it more safely, if weather and fuel conditions allow,” and to continue structure protection and mop-up efforts along the south side of County Road 335.
Additional Rio Blanco Fire updates will be posted at www.PagosaSUN.com as they become available from the incident management team.
Evacuation, most pre-evacuation orders remain in place
As of midday Wednesday, the majority of the evacuation and pre-evacuation orders remained in place.
Early that afternoon, the ACSO announced it, in coordination with the Rio Blanco Fire Incident Management Team and Archuleta County Emergency Management, had officially lifted the level 1 pre-evacuation order for Zone 3 (the Pinon Hills subdivision, including residences from mile marker 12.8 along County Road 500), effective immediately.
“Firefighters have made notable progress on containment and perimeter lines, significantly reducing the immediate threat to homes and structures in the Zone 3 area,” the agency states in a press release.
The press release also notes that, while residents in Zone 3 are no longer under an active pre-evacuation warning, wildfire conditions remain dry in the surrounding San Juan National Forest.
“Residents are encouraged to stay vigilant and remain signed up for local emergency alerts,” it states.
It also notes to expect continued presence of emergency services, heavy machinery and fire crews operating on surrounding roadways, particularly along the County Road 500 and U.S. 84 corridors.
“Please yield to fire personnel and drive with caution,” it urges.
The mandatory evacuation orders or remaining pre-evacuation orders for adjacent areas (such as Lower Blanco/County Road 335) remained in effect.
An evacuation center is in place at Pagosa Springs High School, with the fairgrounds available for livestock and the Pagosa Springs Humane Society available for smaller domestic animals.
Temporary closures, flight restriction
Multiple areas of the county are temporarily closed due to the fire effort.
On Monday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced that it has temporarily closed boating access at Echo Canyon Reservoir to allow aircraft to safely operate while scooping water to fight the ongoing Rio Blanco Fire.
Helicopter teams are actively dipping buckets into the reservoir when conditions allow for aerial support, according to the agency. To maximize the ability of fire personnel to utilize water from Echo Canyon Reservoir State Wildlife Area, CPW has closed the water to all vessels.
Hiking and shore fishing are still permitted at this time. CPW asks the public to respect the closures to prevent the entire property from needing to be closed.
“This administrative closure will assist the operations folks in being able to quickly and safely respond to this fire,” said CPW Area Wildlife Manager Adrian Archuleta. “We still want to provide an opportunity for the public to fish the lake from the shore, but it is important for the safety of air support that nobody be on the lake at this time. This includes not only motorized boats but also hand-launched vessels such as kayaks, canoes and paddleboards.
“We appreciate your cooperation in respecting the closure for your safety and for the safety of officers and fire first responders.”
The closure will remain in effect until conditions allow the reservoir to safely reopen. Visitors are asked to respect all closures and avoid traveling into active fire areas. Signs will be posted.
Additionally, Valle Seco Road (NFSR 653) and all spur roads are closed to the public.
Archuleta County previously announced Cloman Park is closed until further notice due to the fire.
A temporary flight restriction has also been implemented over the fire area. Private aircraft, including drones, are not allowed.
Call center
Upper San Juan Search and Rescue is operating an incident call center at (970) 508-9928.
The call center is currently active from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Cause determined to be lightning
At about 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, the Rio Blanco Fire started, with the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) calling it a “rapidly growing wildfire” and issuing evacuation and pre-evacuation notices.
At 4:10 p.m., the ACSO issued a pre-evacuation warning for the Lower Blanco area. At 4:29 p.m., an evacuation order was put out for County Road 335 (Lower Blanco Road).
At 6:18 p.m., a pre-evacuation warning was issued for the Pinon Hills subdivision, and a pre-evacuation order followed at 6:43 p.m. for County Road 337 and County Road 339.
That evening, the fire was estimated at 120 acres and the San Juan National Forest announced ground crews were on scene sizing up the fire and working to protect structures, utilizing dozer lines, engines and aerial support.
The agency stated in an update it is “taking aggressive actions to suppress this wildfire. Structure and resource protection, as well as firefighter and public safety are the main priorities for this incident.”
By midday Wednesday, July 29, the fire was estimated at 439 acres.
On July 30, the incident management team announced the Rio Blanco Fire was determined to be lightning-caused, likely a holdover from storms a day or two prior to its detection.
Over the days following, updates indicated personnel were facing near-record and record conditions.
On Monday, Aug. 3, the incident management team stated that, given the weather forecast heading into the week, it was possible that fuel conditions could start to break records for dryness, especially in the type of heavy dead and down timber present in the fire area.
On Tuesday, Aug. 4, incident managers announced a weather station in the district positioned at 9,300 feet broke temperature records at 87 degrees, with temperatures exceeding 95 degrees on the fireline.
Also on Tuesday, a community meeting on the fire was held, alerting the community to the current and forecasted conditions, and allowing residents to ask questions of the fire team.
Fire crews also spent time preparing for increasing winds, and conditions on the fire continued to be hot, dry and windy as of midday Wednesday.
Commissioners hear update
During an Aug. 4 work session, the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners heard an update on the fire.
Presenting to the BoCC was San Juan National Forest District Ranger Josh Peck and San Juan Team 8 Incident Commander Trainee Cory Wilson.
Peck explained that from the moment the fire began it has been a “full-suppression” fire, noting challenges with the terrain of the area and the fire moving rapidly due to hot and dry weather conditions.
Peck stressed that one of the top priorities is protecting the lives of firefighters, the public and property in the area.
Wilson noted that about 231 residents and structures had been evacuated along County Road 335.
Wilson also noted that four Type 1 helicopters and two Type 2 helicopters had been assigned to the fire, and that “large airtankers are available on request.”
Wilson explained that the fire was first reported in the Valle Seco area on July 28. The fire grew to 120 acres by the first night.
At that point crews were reassigned from the Ferris Fire in Dolores, with a total of roughly 90 personnel assigned to the fire on July 29, with the fire growing to roughly 440 acres by the end of day.
“The fire continued to grow with hot and dry weather,” Wilson said, explaining that it grew to about 780 acres on July 30.
By July 31, the fire had increased up to about 1,000 acres with 250 personnel being assigned to the fire.
Wilson also explained that “we do not anticipate any change” in the next 48 to 72 hours in regard to the evacuation notice in place for County Road 335, noting the current fire behavior and operational plan.
Wilson also commented that communication and collaboration across all the agencies responding to the fire has been good with the ACSO and Emergency Management team assisting, along with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe responding and making resources available.
In response to a question from Commissioner John Ranson, Wilson indicated that all of the personnel assigned to the fire are being well taken care of in the community.
Sheriff Mike Le Roux commented that throughout the fire everyone has remained “injury free.”
Members of the public asked about plans for lifting evacuations and plans for controlling the progression of the fire.
Le Roux explained that the evacuation notice for County Road 335 will likely remain in place until it is safe to lift it for the entire area, rather than doing it in sections.
Wilson explained that the plan is to try to cut off the fire as soon as possible, likely in the Frio Canyon area.
He also explained more control lines are in place further west of Frio Canyon in the event the fire spreads past the canyon.
Commissioner Warren Brown commended the work of all the responding agencies, noting the amount of resources that have been brought in to fight one of the smaller acreage-sized fires currently happening in the state.
Commissioner Veronica Medina spoke later during the work session, also commending the community’s response.
“We always step up to the challenge when we see a natural disaster, whether it’s a flood or a fire, and our community always comes together and tries to help those trying to save our property,” she said.
Medina also spoke on the importance of assistance needed for those who have been evacuated, mentioning there are resources available through the American Red Cross of Western Colorado.
“Those are the ones who need our help and support,” she said.
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