A small fire on Missionary Ridge was expected to be contained Friday, but smoke could linger for days, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The 156 Fire broke out Thursday afternoon, ignited by a lightning strike, said Denise Alonzo, spokeswoman for the Forest Service.
A crew of about 12 firefighters was on scene Friday attempting to knock down hot spots within the burn area. Alonzo said a helicopter would continue bucket drops throughout Friday because firefighting engines were unable to access the area.
The fire, burning above the Bar D Chuckwagon in the Animas Valley, north of Durango, was about an acre in size Friday morning.
Forest Service officials said the blaze was burning with low intensity in the “heavy dead and down material” left from the 2002 Missionary Ridge Fire, which ripped through 71,739 acres.
As of Friday morning, there was no threat to structures, Alonso said. Smoke, however, should be visible for several days as the heavy material burns within the fire perimeter.
jromeo@durangoherald.com