This is reportedly the final update for the Snow Ranch fire, north of Aspen Springs, posted on Sunday, June 16. In a June 14 evening update, the U.S. Forest Service reports fire crews patrolled and mopped up and secured the edges of the fireline Friday, holding the fire within the established perimeter; a drone performed infrared flights for aerial monitoring and no spot fires were found outside the containment lines.
Fire start date: June 11, 2024
Fire size today: 386 acres
Location: 11 miles west of Pagosa Springs
Personnel: 63
Cause: Lightning
Containment: 64%
Closures: The fire area remains closed to public entry. Fire activities will be taking place on both sides of NFSR 681 (Chris Mountain Trail) and fire traffic will be heavy so please avoid this area. Crews expect to reopen access to the road within a few days.
INCIDENT OBJECTIVES:
- Manage hazards to responders and the public using a risk-based approach to decision-making on a continual basis
- Protect critical values at risk
- Reduce the long-term risk to communities from future wildfire events
TODAY’S OPERATIONS:
- Fire crews continued patrol and mop up operations and extinguished any hot spots that could potentially threaten the firelines.
- Interior pockets of unburned fuel, such as pine needles, stumps, and dead and downed trees, are expected to continue smoldering and producing smoke.
- A drone performed infrared flights for aerial monitoring and no spot fires were found outside the containment lines.
TOMORROW’S PLAN:
- Firefighters will continue to mop up and patrol the fireline, as well as remove fire-weakened trees that may otherwise fall across roads.
- Fire managers will begin rehabilitation planning of dozer line and other disturbed areas.
WEATHER:
The fire received slight precipitation on Friday resulting in less active fire behavior overall. A drying trend is expected throughout the weekend and into next week. Moisture is expected near the end of the week.