From the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office:
Due to an increase in fire behavior and location on the north facing slopes above CR335, as well as due to the predicted critical fire weather on Friday, July 31, this is a secondary mandatory evacuation notice for residents on CR 335.
We strongly urge residents to leave the area.
Pagosa Springs High School remains the current evacuation center. Large animals can be housed at the CSU Extension Building on Hwy 84.
For more information please contact the Archuleta County Call Center in 970-508-9928.
From Inciweb, 11am, July 30:
Acres: 440 | Containment: 0% | Reported: 07/28/26 | Cause: Lightning | Personnel: 91
The Rio Blanco Fire was determined to be lightning-caused, likely a hold-over from storms a day or two prior to its detection. On Wednesday, firefighters focused on evaluating structure protection options and developing a strategy to contain the Rio Blanco Fire. Fire behavior moderated after rain fell over the fire area Tuesday evening. Even with the moisture the previous day, fire activity increased in the late afternoon on several portions of the fire. Aerial resources were very active over the fire during the day and included both airtankers using retardant to slow growth and up to six helicopters working along Archuleta Canyon that dropped 85,000 gallons of water. Engine crews assessed structures to the north, while a dozer cut line from the northeast rim of Archuleta Canyon down to the bottom. The Navajo Hotshots improved this dozer cut, removing additional vegetation to moderate fire behavior against the line to prevent fire spotting.
After appropriately managing risks to fire personnel, protecting life, property, and infrastructure remain the top priority while the incident management team develops strategies to extinguish this fire. Challenges include the terrain, especially in Archuleta Canyon, and fuels, which include some extremely drought-stressed and insect-killed stands of spruce and fir. Nationally, demand is high for firefighters capable of working in challenging terrain and conditions. This competition has delayed arrival of supporting resources, including aircraft, engines, crews, and various overhead and support positions. The Rio Blanco fire is expecting two critical resources today, including Kern Valley Helitack and Blue Ridge Interagency Hotshots.
Today’s Operations:
Engines will remain in threatened neighborhoods to implement structure protection measures. Crews are scouting for options to build line across Archuleta canyon and back up the west side to tie in on the opposite rim. This would be an indirect fireline that could be used to stop the fire if it progresses downcanyon.
Between Frio Canyon and Archuleta Canyon, the northward progression of the fire was slowed yesterday by retardant drops by air tankers and helicopter water drops. Today, these aerial operations will continue, with the goal of preventing the fire from dropping over the rim into the Lower Blanco.
On the southern edge of the fire, along the 653 B Road, patchy fuels resulted in more moderate fire behavior where firefighters can work direct on the fire’s edge. Dozers backed up by Kern Valley Helitack firefighters will improve the 653 B Road as a fireline, and then work towards the north along the west flank of the fire.
Closures/Evacuations: The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office has issued an evacuation order for County Road 335 Lower Blanco, and pre-evacuation orders in place for County Road 337, 339, and Pinion Hills area along County Road 500. The Valle Seco Road (NFSR 653) and all spur roads are closed to the public. The public should avoid the area north of the Valle Seco Road. Contact the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office at (970) 508-9928 for more information about evacuations and closures.
Weather: Drier air arrives on Thursday, limiting shower and thunderstorm chances to the higher terrain adjacent to the fire location. These storms could produce outflow winds that impact fire behavior in the late afternoon or early evening. Temperatures will steadily increase through the weekend, and daytime minimum humidity values will begin to drop into the teens.
Reminder: If you fly, we can’t. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) will be implemented over the fire area. More information about the TFR will be posted as soon as possible. Private aircraft, including drones, are not allowed.