The Chris Mountain Fire on the San Juan National Forest Pagosa Ranger District was reported on June 28, 2023 at 3:00pm. The 120-acre fire is burning on Chris Mountain, located approximately 12 miles west of Pagosa Springs, north of Highway 160. Archuleta County has issued mandatory evacuations for Forest Road 628, effective June 28. visit the Archuleta County Emergency Operations website.
For current evacuation information, call the Chris Mountain Evacuees Call Center at 970-264-8373.
Official incident information can also be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/cosjf-chris-mountain-fire.
June 29 Update
The Chris Mountain Fire is burning in Ponderosa Pine and timber. Fire behavior decreased during the evening of June 28th. No structures have been lost, but some near the heel of the fire were considered threatened, prompting evacuations. Overnight, a “structure group,” or a firefighting team assigned to protect structures, established hose lays around threatened properties to further protect them in case fire approaches.
The fire remains on National Forest System Lands and has not crossed onto private property at this time. Firefighters are scouting the fire on the ground and are formulating a plan for how to safely and effectively contain the fire. Firefighter and public safety are the top priority, followed by structure protection.
Aircraft will be seen throughout the day dropping water and retardant, as well as circling the fire to gather information, provide aerial supervision, and to map the incident. Aircraft will concentrate on the east flank of the fire to try and keep fire out of the Devil Creek drainage.
Midday Update, June 29
Fire managers have confirmed that fire has been kept out of the Devil Creek drainage and the fire held within yesterday’s retardant lines. A Type 1 Helicopter and a Large Airtanker are focused on dropping water and retardant on the east flank of the fire, continuing to prioritize keeping fire out of the drainage. There is strong competition locally and throughout the country for aviation resources as emerging wildfires are on the rise.
The local San Juan National Forest Type 3 Incident Management Team will took command of the fire in the morning on June 29th. They will be implementing an area closure for public and firefighter safety. We ask that the public stay clear of the fire area.
We are working hard to produce a map for the public. This is an emerging incident with many priorities, so we appreciate your patience as we pull together materials. A Complex Incident Management Team has been ordered, and will take command of the fire at a time yet to be determined.
Basic Information Current as of Thursday, June 29 at 3:57pm
Incident Type: Wildfire
Cause: Lightning
Location: Chris Mountain, Pagosa Springs
Current Situation Size: 120 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained: 0%
Fuels Involved: Ponderosa and timber