Photo: Fire retardant dropped on the Rim Road Fire, south of Durango. Photo courtesy Southern Ute Indian Tribe.
52 homes have been evacuated and more residents on alert from Elkhorn and Rim Road fires near Durango, Colorado. Evacuees have been directed to Escalante Middle School shelter.
Elkhorn Fire
The Elkhorn Fire, located 13 miles north/northeast of Durango, Colorado is managed with a full suppression strategy as fire crews and aviation assets work to put containment lines around the fire. The fire began as a structure fire before spreading onto the San Juan National Forest. Other structures have not been impacted at this time, but evacuation orders are in place.
San Juan Team 8 Incident Management Team assumed command of the fire yesterday evening. Incident objectives include the protection of human life, property, and critical infrastructure. Other values at risk include watersheds, private economy (grazing), and natural resources. These values will be protected through appropriate risk management considerations, keeping public and responder safety as the top priority.
As of Sunday, July 27, the fire is currently estimated at 204 acres burning on private and federal lands. Fire crews and heavy equipment are building fireline utilizing hand tools and dozers. Fire managers and cooperators are planning strategies and ordering resources as needed.
Fire Behavior & Weather:
- Sunny skies and very dry today. Breezy southwest winds around 10 mph with temperatures in the low 80s. Relative humidity (RH) around 9% and zero percent chance of wetting rain. Smoke will lift out of the valley floor during the day.
- Primary fuel is very tall, dense oak brush, with flames reaching three feet in length. Tree torching and spot fires are likely.
Rim Road Fire
According to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, the Rim Road Fire had burned approximately 112 acres as of Sunday afternoon. County Road 318 remains open to traffic, with Tribal Rangers stationed at Herrera Hill and Texaco Hill to ensure public safety. Should traffic congestion becomes an issue, Southern Ute Police will assist in maintaining a steady flow.
Fire crews were actively constructing containment lines yesterday, with a primary focus on preventing the fire from advancing toward the nearby oilfield. In response to the fire’s proximity, oil and gas operators temporarily shut down a few operations yesterday as a precaution. These sites were located closest to the fire perimeter. The temporarily closed sites are expected to resume operations tomorrow, pending a safety review by respective management.
The Tribe extends its sincere thanks to all firefighting crews, Tribal personnel, and partnering agencies for their continued efforts and dedication to protecting the community and critical infrastructure.
Smoke may be visible to the local communities. For information related to air quality, please go to https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/justice-and-regulatory/epd/air-quality/ambient-monitoring/.
Fire activity decreased overnight with temperatures in the mid-40s and relative humidity rose to around 45%.