Lightning fire in San Juan Forest grows to 75 acres

Fire crews continue to patrol and hold containment lines on the 412 Fire in the Ryman Creek area of the Dolores Ranger District about seven miles south of Rico, according to a news release from the San Juan National Forest on Friday. The fire’s size is currently 75 acres, and no aerial or ground ignitions are planned over the next several days, public affairs specialist Ann Bond said in the news release.

“We expect minimal acreage growth over the next several days due to no planned ignitions,” said Patrick Seekins, Dolores District Fire Management officer. “Our plan is for measured reintroduction of fire to remove heavy fuel accumulations across this remote area, as weather conditions allow.”

The 412 Fire was reported on June 23 by a hiker, and is believed to be caused by lightning that was documented in the area last week. According to the San Juan Forest, it has grown from 5 to 75 acres since Wednesday.

The low-intensity fire is burning in spruce and fir at 10,100 feet in elevation, near the Ryman and Salt Creek trails, about 5 miles east of the Roaring Fork trailhead in Montezuma County.

Fire officials are managing the fire to allow it to play its natural role in the ecosystem to provide for long-term health and integrity of the forest. The wildfire is burning in heavy dead and downed trees in steep and rugged terrain at 10,000 feet in elevation approximately five miles east of the Roaring Fork Trailhead within Montezuma County.

Ground ignitions as well as aerial ignitions by helicopter, will occur as weather conditions allow.

Nighttime smoke may settle downslope in valleys to the south and west along Colorado Highway 145 in the Dolores River Canyon and east into Hermosa Creek Drainage. A Type 3 Incident Management Organization remains is in place with 55 total fire personnel currently assigned, including the Columbine Wildland Fire Module, Storm Peak Wildland Fire Module, four engines, one water tender, a fire prevention officer and various support personnel.

Road and trail closures remain in effect. Travel restrictions and closures are posted on area roads alerting the public to fire operations.

Current closures:The Highline Colorado Trail between the Cape of Good Hope and its intersection with Hotel Draw Road (550).

Big Bend Trail (519), Salt Creek Trail (559) in the Hermosa Creek Wilderness

Roaring Fork Road (435)

Scotch Creek Road (550.1) and Hotel Draw Road (550)

Divide Road (564)

Corral Trail 521

Salt Creek Trail, 733

Ryman Creek Trail 734/735