A small team of firefighters worked Thursday to contain the approximately 50-acre, lightning-caused 441 Fire burning in the Missionary Ridge area between Durango and Lemon Reservoir.
Firefighters planned to carry out “burnout” operations along the First Fork Trail to create a fire line.
Using an existing break like a trail, road or ridge top, firefighters carefully ignite fuels along those features to widen the break ahead of the advancing wildfire.
The burnout was expected to produce visible smoke on Missionary Ridge and along the Florida River corridor.
The 441 Fire is being allowed to burn within a defined area of about 2,000 acres to decrease the chances of future high-severity fires.
About 30 firefighters and support personnel are on scene to ensure the fire stays within the defined boundaries. With the burnouts, the fire perimeter had the possibility of growing to about 250 acres by the end of Thursday.
For the safety of firefighters and the public, fire managers have implemented an area closure.
The closure restricts public access from First Fork and Red Creek trails, as well as Missionary Ridge Trail between the intersections with First Fork and Red Creek trails.
For a map of the closure area and complete details, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6442.
For questions or concerns, contact San Juan Fire Information at 403-5118 or 2019.441@firenet.gov, or visit www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan.