The ‘Horse Fire’ continues to burn in the Horse Mountain area 16 miles northwest of Pagosa Springs. The lightning-caused fire has affected 272 acres, and is about 50 percent contained. Personnel working the fire totals 148 firefighters, on six crews. There have been no injuries, thus far, according to Forest Service reports.
San Juan National Forest has implemented a special order closing an area, roads, and trails to public entry in the vicinity of the fire. The West Monument Road (NFSR 630), Devils Mountain Trail (NFST 600) and the Horse Creek Trail (NFST 689) are some of the more well-known routes affected by the closure. Please check the San Juan National Forest website, here, for current closures and update changes.
The Horse Fire is located 16 miles northwest of Pagosa Springs, Colorado and 8 miles north of highway 160. The fire was started by a lightning strike that was discovered on Tuesday August 28. The fire is burning on steep rugged terrain in dense mixed conifers with pockets of aspen and oak brush.
An infrared flight yesterday afternoon showed that the fire grew 16 acres. Precipitation received on the incident yesterday continues to make conditions challenging for fire personnel. Yesterday, firefighters expected to finish a piece of indirect fire line on the east side of the fire and check direct fire lines on the north side. Fire crews working with chippers will continue to improve the contingency line around the fire.
An upper low pressure system which has been slowly spinning over southwest Colorado the last few days will lift northward today as an embedded disturbance also moves through the flow. This will result in an increase in coverage of showers and thunderstorms. Expect gusty winds with stronger storms capable of brief heavy rain. Isolated to scattered storms will remain in the forecast Thursday before a stronger westerly flow helps push the persistent upper level trough of low pressure and associated moisture east of the region by Friday into the weekend, for drier and breezier conditions.
More information may be available on the Inciweb website.