Chris Mountain Fire, Day 4

Date Reported: June 28, 2023 Cause: Lightning
Size: 459
Containment: 0%
Total Personnel: 365
Location: 12 Mile west-northwest of Pagosa Springs, CO

Current Situation: Fire behavior was moderate yesterday, with most of the growth on the north-northeast side and some growth in the southwestern corner. Fire is spreading mostly in timber understory, consuming ground fuels, and there has been some isolated tree torching. Fire behavior should be similar today; winds will shift again this afternoon to come from the west- southwest and may become gusty and erratic. This could increase activity and growth in the north and east sections as fire becomes established in the bowl just west of Devil Creek and as it backs down toward the Devil Creek drainage on the east.

Crews have successfully built fire line along the entire western edge of the fire, connecting into the west fork of Devil Creek, and extending south to Snow Angel Ranch. Yesterday, aerial resources supported firefighters’ work from above by dropping both retardant and water, flying for a total of 21 flight hours throughout the day. Today, crews on the west side will improve fire line and work to extend it around the southernmost edge of the fire, north of Snow Angel Ranch. On the east side of the fire yesterday, helicopters dropped numerous buckets of water to slow the fire’s progress as it backed towards Devil Creek drainage and will do so again today.

Firefighters are scouting for indirect line options east and northeast of the fire in the event it crosses to the east side of Devil Creek drainage. Near the south-east edge, hand crews and bulldozers are working off existing road systems to build indirect fire line from the roads to Snow Angel Ranch. Structure protection crews remain present near the Snow Angel Ranch and are also scouting and assessing near the Turkey Springs area to the northeast. Firefighters remain stationed overnight near Snow Angel Ranch and the Devil Creek Drainage to monitor for change in fire behavior.

Weather & Smoke Information: Hot, dry weather is predicted for the next several days as a high-pressure system builds across the west, with temps in the low to mid 80s. Relative humidity of 10-20% – slightly drier than recent days – will be common for the next few days. Today, humidity may be as low as 11-15% with a 20% chance of afternoon thunderstorms. There is potential for breezy conditions to return from Tuesday through Thursday (July 4 – 6), with gusts to 23 mph. These warm, dry, and breezy conditions will continue to dry fuels and make them more susceptible to ignition, potentially increasing fire activity.

Evacuations: Archuleta County has issued mandatory evacuations for Forest Road 628, effective June 28, 2023.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: A TFR is in place at this time. TFR link: tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_9743.html