Ashes were falling in Towaoc late Thursday afternoon as white smoke blanketed the town and surrounding valley.
Headquartered in Towaoc, Bureau of Indian Affairs acting supervisor Lyman Clayton said the origin and cause of the blaze remained unknown.
“We haven’t had much rain or lightning in the last couple of days, but a lightning strike could have smoldered for several days,” Clayton said.
Ute Mountain Ute Chairman Manuel Heart urged residents to remain calm, adding that no evacuation notice had been ordered as of 6 p.m. on Thursday.
“I haven’t received a full report,” said Heart. “It’s still too early to comment.”
Anticipating initial reports from fire crews, Heart said he wanted a fuel assessment from the ground, the exact size of the blaze and a smoke forecast.
“My biggest concern is the acreage,” said Heart.
Heart added that tribal officials were calling all area and state agencies to assist.
“We will try to get all of the resources that we can,” said Heart.
Clayton advised that evacuations were unlikely unless the wildfire spread down to McElmo Canyon or jumped the ridge and moved toward Towaoc.
Clayton said two BIA fire officers were dispatched to the west side of Sleeping Ute Mountain about 1:30 p.m. Crews initially tried to control the blaze with a slurry, he said.
“A short team has been ordered,” said Clayton. “They should be in place tonight.”
The last major fire in the Towaoc area occurred in 1989, and bordered Mesa Verde National Park east of U.S. 491.
