Wildfire Update
Los Angeles is a wake-up call for the West — especially Durango
After fierce winds whipped fire out of brush-covered hills on Jan. 7, entire Los Angeles neighborhoods burned down. Within a few days, more than 12,000 homes and businesses had been destroyed as flames ringed the city. And it’s not over yet. The photos of smoldering neighborhoods and distraught residents are horrific and shocking. Could they also presage the kind of wildfire that might overtake Durango, a town of about 20,000 in...
Fire mitigation work along Horse Gulch Road began Monday September 12th
Fire-mitigation work along Horse Gulch Road will begin the week of September 12, starting at the north end of the road. Durango Fire Protection District crews will be manually cutting and chipping along Horse Gulch Road through Horse Gulch beginning next week and continuing through the fall as they are available until the project is completed. This project will reduce the density of overgrown shrubs and remove ladder fuels on and...
Prescribed burns planned for San Juan National Forest
The San Juan National Forest has scheduled some prescribed burns beginning in early September. A burn will occur about 20 miles east of Durango and separate burns will occur 4 to 12 miles east of Bayfield just off U.S. Highway 160 in the Saul’s Creek, Yellow Jacket and Vallecito-Piedra areas. The burns are scheduled to begin Saturday. Areas selected for burns are low-elevation forests consisting of ponderosa pine,...
Why is it so hazy outside?
Smoke from western wildfires engulfs western Colorado By Nick Gonzales, Herald Staff Writer Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021 12:02 Updated Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021 5:05 Smoke from wildfires in California, Oregon and Washington reduces visibility in Durango on Saturday morning. Jerry McBride Residents of western Colorado woke up Saturday morning to hazy skies in every direction, the result of fires closer to the West Coast. “When we had that big...
Is the Durango Train Worth the Environmental Impact in 2020?
Coming in to 2020, 140 years after its construction, we must ask: how long should this once useful piece of technology continue to run on an outdated fuel source – coal? It has its fans for sure, and its importance to Durango’s origin is undeniable. But as its utility has waned and environmental cost remains, when does the cost outweigh the nostalgic benefit? Many Durangoans live in the plume of the train’s nightly...
Rains bring mudslides to 416 fire area; drier air expected Wednesday
Rain and thunderstorms came to parts of southern Colorado on Tuesday, resulting in burn area mudslides that shut down some roads and highways. Article from The Denver Post by By Kieran Nicholson Wildfires have scorched more than 175,000 acres this season, leaving lands stripped of trees, brush and other vegetation. When rains come, water washes down barren landscapes, uprooting fire debris and channeling mudslides and flash floods....
And the Healing Begins
Forest service crews are beginning the long process of healing scars left by the construction of firelines that slowed the 416 Fire.
Monsoons coming soon? Some forecasters say yes!
Now it is hot and dry. Oh my! Is that in our extended future? Are monsoons coming soon? Some forecasters– experts at the Climate Prediction Center in Maryland– project an earlier and wetter season for the SW Colorado region. A map on the CPC website shows a green area (projected rain) over the Colorado-Utah border and extending across the western half of Colorado, most of Utah, northern Arizona and the...
Firefighters gain ground on 416 Fire
New management team to take command Thursday Wildfire Update as of June 19, 2018 8:10am Courtesy of Jonathan Romeo / Durango Herald Reporter The 416 Fire stalled for a third day Monday, showing no measurable growth and minimal amounts of smoke as the 34,161-acre blaze smoldered within its own boundaries. The subdued nature of the fire could change this week as warm temperatures return to the area and fuels dry out from last weekend’s...
Storms forecast over 416 Fire could be a mixed bag for firefighters
Moisture helps, but wind, lightning are problems Wildfire Update as of June, 14 2018 9:49pm Courtesy of Durango Herald Rain is expected mainly after 5 p.m. Friday, and while that might be viewed as a good thing with the 416 Fire now listed at 32,076 acres, associated winds and even heavier rains Saturday could complicate firefighting. Storms can be both good and bad, Incident Commander Todd Pechota said Thursday during a news...
Dry Conditions Prompt Public-Land Closures
As the 416 Fire continues its advance toward Durango, the San Juan National Forest opts to close the forest to all entry.
Durango 416 Fire Update – Share Your Story
Get the latest news, updates, and commentary on the Durango, CO 416 fire. Share your story and pics in the comments!
Colorado 416 Fire Map Update: Durango Fire Spreads to 27,420 Acres as Lightning Threatens Containment Efforts
Colorado officials announced 165 new pre-evacuations as firefighters continue to fight the 416 Fire outside of Durango, Colorado. The wildfire has spread to over 27,000 acres, with containment at only 15 percent. The 416 Fire initially started on June 1 about 10 miles north of Durango, AccuWeather reported. The fire has expanded to 27,420 acres as of Wednesday morning. From Newsweek.com Officials announced that 163 homes and two...
The Importance of Wildfire Mitigation
Durango has made national headlines this week as the 416 Fire has erupted just north of town. This fire is the stark reminder that it’s crucial to employ fire mitigation strategies, especially if you live in an area that is surrounded by forest. Many local properties border undeveloped land, or contain high levels of trees and brush, thus creating flammable environments. What is wildfire mitigation? This is the idea that the...
Bridging the Divide: Growing from the Ashes
Wolf Creek Ski Area & South Fork Visitor Center | 5:00pm – 8:00pm Join local forest and fire experts to learn about wildland fire management, explore the impacts and recovery from the West Fork and Million fires, and understand how to protect your home from future fires. On June 22 from 5:00-8:00pm, evening fire discussions at the Wolf Creek Ski Area will be followed by a FREE BBQ and local beer from both sides of the...
Initial evacuees go home, but more placed on pre-evacuation
416 Fire – now at 27,420 acres – expected to burn well into July Wildfire Update as of June, 13 2018 9:26pm Courtesy of Durango Herald After 13 days of wondering when good news for evacuees would come from the 416 Fire that started June 1, it came Wednesday. Evacuation orders were lifted in the afternoon for 560 residences and 20 businesses in the Rockwood, Tamarron and Glacier Club areas. But just hours later, more pre-evacuation...
Firefighters use burnouts to outsmart 416 Fire
Blaze grows to 22,130 acres; more homes on pre-evacuation; public lands to close Wildfire update as of June 11, 2018 10:33pm courtesy of Patrick Armijo / Durango Herald Education, business & read estate reporter HERMOSA – The ominous plume north of Durango churned for an eleventh day Monday, putting up periodic puffs of black smoke as the blaze found pockets of thick vegetation – some discovered by natural fire progression, others...
416 Fire update– Saturday night– 8961 acres
How big is that fire? Who knows, but watch it grow… As of around 9 pm on Saturday night it was 8961 acres and growing! Wow, this fire has already had a very explosive run and with 10% containment– this is far from over. These important facts about the fire’s size and containment was gathered form the US Forestry’s Incident website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5822 Use this important resource to help...
5 things to know Friday about the 416 Fire
The 416 Fire grew to 7,180 acres as of Friday morning and remained at 10 percent contained. Here are five things you need to know. Article courtesy of Alex Semadeni / Durango Herald Staff Writer 1) Evacuation Notices The 416 fire has prompted over 1,000 evacuations and more than 1,500 pre-evacuation notices. Homes in the Hermosa area from north of Cometti/Mead Lane to the intersection of County Road 250C and U.S. Highway 550. It also...
