The Swiss Roll Fire has grown to approximately 30 acres as of Friday afternoon, according to fire managers on the Pagosa Ranger District. The remote, lightning-caused fire is located east of Pagosa Springs, CO, and U.S. Highway 160, south of East Fork Road (CR 667) near Quartz Meadow. Due to a large amount of dead timber on the ground, the fire is producing a small smoke column today as it consumes these fuels but is not growing rapidly.
Smoke is visible from Pagosa Springs, U.S. Highway 160, and the surrounding area.
The Elk Creek Wildland Fire Module is operating from East Fork Road where they can track the fire’s growth and develop computer models for containment efforts. They have established a weather station to track conditions and are taking regular helicopter flights to observe fire behavior. They will be prepared to engage on indirect lines if fire approaches.
Fire crews will use an indirect containment strategy for this fire, using predetermined action points if/when the fire reaches certain locations. These fire lines may include roads and natural features (like rock outcroppings). Fire crews cannot engage the Swiss Roll Fire directly at this point due to extremely high threat to safety from falling dead trees, and lack of access in the case of a medical emergency.
Additionally, the fire is not expected to threaten life or property due to its remote location.
Today’s increase in fire activity is due in part to hot, dry conditions, as well as a brief period of wind and slope alignment, where the fire was able to grow easily before slowing again. The fire is expected to continue slowly growing until cool, moist weather moves into the area beginning Sunday evening.
The Pagosa Ranger District will be implementing a partial trail closure for Quartz Ridge Trail, #570 for public safety concerns. The closure area will include Quartz Ridge Trailhead to the junction with Sand Creek. Sand Creek Trailhead and the portion of the Quartz Ridge Trail along Sand Creek will remain open approximately 4.5 miles from the Sand Creek Trailhead. A map and closure order will be issued soon.
The Lightning-caused fire was first reported on August 20. Fire managers assessed options to insert firefighters to engage the fire directly, but all risk assessments indicated danger to firefighters would be too high. An indirect containment strategy was chosen as the safest option, while still protecting life and property.
Additional updates will be provided as available on InciWeb.