A coal seam fire discovered in October north of Dolores has been extinguished, according to the San Juan National Forest.
But another coal seam fire along a steep ledge has been discovered a few miles west, said Dolores District Ranger Derek Padilla said. That fire is being monitored and is much less accessible.
Over several days in late May, fire crews excavated the area with heavy equipment, then added in water and a foam fire retardant, said Padilla.
When there was no more smoke, the excavated coal seam was filled back in with soil, and the area was brought back to the natural grade.
Mulch and native seeds were added at the site, and grass has emerged.
The fire was located off Forest Road 525 at the head of Beaver Canyon and had been active since summer 2018 when the Plateau Fire occurred. Hidden coal seams sometime ignite after wildfires.
Padilla said the coal seam was part of a historic coal mine. As a result, the Forest Service received funding from the Colorado Division of Reclamation for Mining and Safety to mitigate the fire.
Coal seam fires can be difficult to put out and are often left alone, but monitored. When exposed to the surface, they can trigger wildfires. It was decided to put this one out because of its accessibility and smaller size.
