Advertisement

416 Fire nearly doubles in size; 675 more residences ordered to evacuate

|
Sunday, June 10, 2018 12:44 PM
Dry, windy conditions caused the 416 Fire to double in size Saturday.

Severe weather behavior caused the 416 Fire to double in size Saturday. The fire is now 16,766 acres, and remains at 10 percent containment, according to fire officials.

An evacuation order was issued to 675 residences this morning to Purgatory/Durango Mountain Resort, Lake Purgatory, Silver Pick Lodge, Cascade Village, Mill Creek and all residences on both sides of U.S. Highway 550 between mile markers 46.5 to 53.1. Residents were given notifications at 9:45 a.m.

Highway 550 was open for an hour this morning before it was shut down to aid evacuations. The highway is closed indefinitely at the top of Molas Pass at mile marker 64 and Cometti Lane in Hermosa. There is also a closure point at Silverton.

The 416 Fire grew significantly on the west and northwest sides. The area is in the San Juan National Forest area and not near residential areas. No structures have been lost.

The Type I team managing the 416 fire will also assume command of the Burro Fire 10 miles west of the 416 Fire. That fire is burning in the San Juan National Forest about 23 miles northeast of Dolores. As of this morning, the Burro Fire is at 493 acres. The division will assume command of the fire at 6 a.m. Monday, said Shawn Bawden, a spokesman with the Type I team said.

“Because they are so close together, relatively speaking, a Type 1 team with that much experience can manage two fires at the same time,” he said.

Officials are expecting the fire above the Hermosa Cliffs to move north and east. Structure protections crews will continue to secure residences in the areas along the Highway 550 corridor. The fire has not crossed Highway 550.

Fire officials say they expect critical fire weather conditions today. A red flag warning is in place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Winds will be active around 10 a.m., with potential gusts up to 35 mph, according to the National Weather Service. The combination of weather and fuel conditions creates significant potential for fire intensity and growth today.

A rollout occurred overnight above Hermosa, according to a fire report this morning. A rollout is when burning materials roll downhill with the potential to ignite new fuel. Overnight crews successfully mitigated the hazard and successfully protected structures in the area. Crews are expecting the fire to be active today on the ridges above Hermosa and to continue back down the slopes. Fire managers plan to keep the fire on the ridge and out of the path of any structures.

Seven helicopters will aid the 813 firefighters battling the blaze today. Officials are preparing to battle the blaze for a long period of time, Bawden said.

“This is a long duration event,” Bawden said. “Firefighters will be here as long as it takes to get the job done.”

An evacuation center and shelter is open 24 hours a day at Escalante Middle School, 141 Baker Lane, in Durango. Evacuated residents are asked to check in at the evacuation center to receive credentials for re-entry when conditions allow the evacuation order to be lifted. Resident credentials are also available at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave. in Durango.

Livestock can be evacuated to the La Plata County Fairgrounds at 2500 Main Ave. The emergency call center at (970) 385-8700 can help coordinate pick-up of livestock. Small animals are being accepted at the La Plata County Humane Society, 1111 South Camino del Rio, Durango (970) 259-2847.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued an air quality health advisory due to wildfire smoke for a large portion of Southwest Colorado. The advisory was issued for La Plata County, San Juan County, eastern Dolores County, and northeastern Montezuma County. The advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. Monday.

The smoke is especially bad in the mornings, before atmospheric mixing occurs, according to the health department. Forecasts predict that smoke will move in a northeasterly direction this afternoon. The smoke will drain southward along the Animas River and produce moderate to heavy smoke for Hermosa and Durango.

This is a developing story. Check the durangoherald.com online for updates.

What you need to know

Evacuation and shelter centersEscalante Middle School, 141 Baker Lane in Durango. Open 24 hours a day.Silverton Town Hall, 1360 Greene St., in Silverton. Open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.Those affected by evacuations must check in at an evacuation site to receive resident credentials. This is crucial for preparedness, identifying and securing resources for evacuees, and for return access when fire conditions become safe.
Community resourcesLa Plata County government hotline for residents evacuating: (970) 385-8700.Livestock can be evacuated to La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.Four Corners Back Country Horsemen will assist with horse and livestock evacuations, call (570) 228-1340.The Browning Ranch in Farmington volunteered to host horses during evacuations. Call Chris Maedche (505) 681-3595.Small animals can be evacuated to La Plata County Humane Society, 111 South Camino del Rio.Tips for pre-evacuationFor people who received a pre-evacuation notice, these steps can improve their safety and expedite departure should an evacuation become necessary.
Inside the houseGather medications.Pack a bag with clothing and essentials.Shut off air conditioning and fans.Shut all windows and doors before leaving.If you have time, gather paperwork and photographs that cannot be replaced.Outside the houseGather flammable items and bring them inside (patio furniture, children’s toys, door mats, trash cans, etc.).Move propane barbecue appliances away from structures. Connect garden hoses to outside water valves or spigots for use by firefighters. Fill water buckets and place them around the house.Don’t leave sprinklers or water running; this can affect critical water pressure.Leave exterior lights on so your home is visible to firefighters in the smoke or darkness of night.Back your car into the driveway with vehicle loaded and all doors and windows closed. Carry your car keys with you.AnimalsLocate your pets and keep them nearby.Prepare livestock for transport and plan to move them to a safe location early.Pack food and medications for your pets.InsuranceTake pictures of the interior of your house to remember and document personal possessions.Determine what is sentimental and can’t be replaced.DonationsCommunity Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado is accepting monetary donations for Community Emergency Relief Fund. This fund is set up for broad-based community emergencies in Southwest Colorado. The Advisory Committee is working with government agencies and local businesses to develop a strategy for distributing the funds raised. Efforts will support local people and efforts related to 416 Fire. To donate to CERF, residents can send a check to The Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1673, Durango, CO 81302 or donate online at www.swcommunityfoundation.orgDonations of clothing and household items accepted at Discover Goodwill of Durango, 1230 Escalante Drive.Financial donations can be made to the Community Emergency Relief Fund by calling (970) 375-5807.

Gallery: 416 Fire on June 9

A sign supports firefighters battling the 416 Fire on Saturday in Hermosa. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Glow sticks are left over from a Saturday nighttime 416 Fire operation on Forest Service Road 576. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The results on Saturday of a previous back burn to keep the 416 Fire from advancing toward homes along County Road 201. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The 416 Fire burns on Saturday on the south side of the Hermosa Creek drainage. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A dozer line on Saturday had been put in place along Forest Service Road 576 going toward the northeast to keep the 416 Fire from advancing to homes along County Road 201. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The result on Saturday of a previous back burn to keep the 416 Fire from advancing toward homes along County Road 201. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The 416 Fire started raging early Saturday morning in the Hermosa Creek drainage. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Firefighters keep an eye on the 416 Fire Saturday from above County Road 202. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Helicopters work the 416 Fire on Saturday on the east side of Hermosa Cliffs. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The 416 Fire closes in on the Animas Village Apartments and the Hermosa Hills townhomes late Friday evening west of U.S. Highway 550. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The 416 Fire is burned Saturday in thick fuel making a very hot fire and creating a plume that rises thousands of feet above the flames. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
With dry, windy conditions, the 416 Fire quickly burns through trees. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A dozer line on Saturday had been put in place along Forest Service Road 576 going toward the northeast to keep the 416 Fire from advancing toward homes along County Road 201. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The 416 Fire burns in the background on the north side of the Hermosa Creek drainage on Saturday past the Hermosa Creek Campground. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The 416 Fire burns in the background on the south side of the Hermosa Creek drainage on Saturday past the Hermosa Creek Campground. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The result on Saturday of a back burn to keep the 416 Fire from advancing toward homes along County Road 201. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A back burn had been done before Saturday to keep the 416 Fire from advancing toward homes along County Road 201. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The result on Saturday of a back burn to keep the 416 Fire from advancing toward homes along County Road 201. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Steve Beiser, a County Road 201 resident who has not left the mandatory evacuation area, talks with Eric Bader, a safety officer with the Rocky Mountain Incident Black Team, on Saturday as the 416 Fire burns in the background. Beiser and his wife, Connie, are ready to leave on a moment’s notice. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Steve Beiser, a County Road 201 resident who has not left the mandatory evacuation area, talks with Eric Bader, a safety officer with the Rocky Mountain Incident Black Team, on Saturday as the 416 Fire burns in the background. Beiser and his wife, Connie, are ready to leave on a moment’s notice. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The spectacular 416 Fire drawn dozens of people to photograph it, including local photographer Paul Boyer. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The 416 Fire started raging early Saturday morning in the Hermosa Creek drainage. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The 416 Fire stretches for miles from the Hermosa Creek drainage on Saturday all the way over to U.S. Highway 550. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The 416 Fire on Saturday created a thick fuel and a plume that rises thousands of feet above the flames. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Advertisement