DURANGO, Colo. — Firefighters are battling a stubborn 1.5-acre blaze in the San Juan National Forest just west of Highway 550, about 10 miles north of Durango and minutes from the town of Hermosa.
The fire was reported at 1:45 p.m. Thursday and quickly drew a major response as flames moved uphill through heavy dead timber killed by years of beetle infestation.
Blackhawk helicopters from the Colorado National Guard made repeated water drops through the afternoon, dramatically slowing the fire’s spread in steep, rugged terrain.
Ground crews from the Durango Interagency Fire Dispatch worked alongside engine crews from Upper Pine River Fire Protection District and San Juan National Forest to build direct hand line around the entire perimeter.
By 7 p.m., firefighters had achieved 50% containment and expected full control by Friday evening if winds stay calm.
No homes are currently threatened. Highway 550 remains fully open with no delays reported.
Fire officials say the blaze is burning in an area packed with standing dead spruce and downed logs, perfect fuel for quick growth if the wind picks up.
“This is exactly the kind of country where a one-acre fire can turn into a hundred-acre fire in an hour,” said Marc Jackson, engine boss with Upper Pine Fire. “The helicopter drops bought us the time we needed.”
Two Blackhawks worked the fire for nearly four hours, each dropping 660-gallon buckets of water pulled from the Animas River.
Crews will remain on scene through the night cold-trailing edges and cutting down hazard trees that could fall across the line.
The cause is still under investigation. Investigators will enter the burn area Friday morning searching for any sign of human ignition.
This is the fourth lightning-caused or human-caused start in La Plata County in the past two weeks, a sharp reminder that fire season is far from over despite recent cooler nights.
Current fire danger in the San Juan National Forest is rated HIGH. Stage 1 restrictions remain in effect across the forest:
- No campfires outside developed recreation sites
- Smoking only allowed inside vehicles or buildings
- Chainsaws must have approved spark arrestors
- No shooting exploding targets
One less spark = one less wildfire.
Residents north of Hermosa reported seeing the smoke column from their homes Thursday afternoon and many called 911 to report it, helping crews arrive within 12 minutes of the first sighting.
If you saw anything suspicious in the area Thursday afternoon, call the Durango Interagency Dispatch Center at (970) 385-1324.
Crews expect to reach full containment by tomorrow night and will patrol the area for several days after.
Fire season in southwest Colorado is running weeks longer than normal this year. With almost no monsoon moisture since mid-August, forests remain critically dry and ready to burn well into November.
Stay alert, stay careful, and keep giving firefighters the space they need to do their jobs.
What do you think about how dry it’s been this fall? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and share this story with #DurangoFireWatch so others stay informed.
