The fire has grown to 75 acres, up from five acres on Wednesday. It is burning at low to moderate intensity and is staying low to the ground, consuming downed timber and forest debris.
“It’s been creeping along moving in a northeasterly direction,” Padilla said.
The fire started naturally from lightning June 23, giving forest managers the opportunity to let it burn for ecological benefits, such as clearing out accumulated downed trees and reducing overgrown brush and forest duff.
Because of high levels of moisture in the trees, brush and grass, the decision was made to let it burn, but with close management by a crew of 55 firefighters, a fire tender, brush trucks and a helicopter.
Firefighters conducted so-called burnout operations on Wednesday, which involves strategically igniting fires to allow the low-intensity wildfire to continue it’s positive impacts on the forest.
“Everything is so green, we were not getting a lot of movement on its own,” Padilla said.
But after the Lightner Creek Fire near Durango, burn operations have been suspended for the next several days, Padilla said, in case they have to redirect fire resources and manpower there.
“The fire reached a big meadow, so that was a logical place to stop,” he said. “Crews are currently patrolling the perimeter and holding the fire within a predetermined boundary.”
Efforts have been made to prevent the fire from going over a nearby ridge and into the Animas Valley drainage. Burnout operations were conducted up to the ridgeline to create a buffer zone that will prevent the fire from spreading in that direction.
Some firefighters’ assignments are to patrol the perimeter of the fire to look for “spotting,” in which embers from the main fire start other fires where officials don’t want them. Three of those startups occurred in the past two days and were quickly doused by firefighters, Padilla said.
The area of the fire at 10,100 feet elevation was part of a Red Flag high-wind warning this week, and there were reports of 20 mph gusts. Padilla said the wind’s effect on the fire is being watched closely, but it has not caused problems.
“Due to the high moisture in the vegetation, the fire is continuing to burn at low intensity and allows us to control and manage it methodically and safely,” he said. “The winds have had little effect at pushing the fire.”
In a few days, fire officials hope to continue measured reintroduction of fire if weather conditions and fire behavior allow. The decision also depends on the progress of the Lightner Creek Fire.
When the fire hits heavy downed fuels, it is generating heavy smoke, which can be seen from Colorado Highway 145. Several roads and trails in that area have been closed. There have been no injuries, and there is no private property near the fire.
“The fire crews are doing great, and working in cool weather. They have a positive attitude and are working very safely,” Padilla said.
There is ample water in the area, including streams and stock ponds available for firefighters. Well established control lines for the fire have been identified. A preliminary date for the fire being contained or burning itself out is July 15.
Because of limited fire activity on the 412 Fire, Scotch Creek Road No. 550.1 and the Hotel Draw Road No. 550 were opened on Saturday. The rest of the current road and trail closures remain in place, including the Divide Road, No. 564, south of Scotch Creek.
Current road and trail closuresBig Bend Trail No. 519 and Salt Creek Trail No. 559 in the Hermosa Creek WildernessThe portion of the Highline Colorado Trail between its intersections with the Cape of Good Hope Trail and the intersection of the Scotch Creek road and the Divide road (# 564.)Divide Road No. 564Corral Trail No. 521Salt Creek Trail, No. 733Ryman Creek Trail 734/735.Travel restrictions and closures are posted on area roads alerting the public to fire operations.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
