By 4:30 p.m. Sunday, the Black Ridge Fire that swept across 78 acres of piñon and juniper in southern La Plata County was 100 percent contained, county officials announced Monday.
The fire broke out Wednesday, announcing its arrival with a plume of smoke visible for miles. By Thursday evening, pre-evacuation orders for neighboring residences were lifted, and operations at nearby oil and gas facilities had returned to normal by Friday.
The Southern Ute Tribe Bureau of Indian Affairs Fire Management Team worked over the weekend to contain the flames with assistance from the Los Pinos and Durango Fire protection districts and other county services.
A 20-person crew of state and federal agencies will monitor and clean the Black Ridge area in the days ahead.
According to county officials, the fire is not likely to be declared “out” until the area receives needed rainfall, which could arrive Wednesday subsequent to lightning forecast for Monday and Tuesday.
Southern Ute firefighters responded Monday morning to a single-tree fire, caused by Sunday night lightning.
In light of recent hot, dry weather that has fueled a slew of recent fires in La Plata County, a red flag warning was in effect Monday for western Colorado and parts of southeastern Utah, as well as a no-burn order.
jpace@durangoherald.com
