Evacuation orders were lifted Tuesday evening as fire crews managed to get a wildfire northeast of Durango into a stable position where it no longer posed an immediate threat to homes in the area.
Residents east of Helen’s Corner, including the Tween Lakes and Enchanted Forest subdivisions, remained under a pre-evacuation notice as of 6:30 p.m., said Megan Graham, spokeswoman for La Plata County.
The fire broke out around 3:30 p.m. north of country roads 245 and 502. Strong winds pushed the fire up a steep ridge in the general direction of the two subdivisions, prompting the evacuation order. Emergency workers were preparing to set up an evacuation center at Bayfield High School, but the center was deemed unnecessary after it became clear residents could safely return home.
At last report, the fire consumed 45 to 55 acres.
Upper Pine River Fire Protection District Fire Chief Bruce Evans said the fire was caused accidentally by someone using an electric saw.
“Things are looking good up there now, but there are burning embers that need to be addressed tomorrow,” Graham said.
The U.S. Forest Service planned to take over command of the blaze, called the “84 Fire,” on Tuesday night. Upper Pine River Fire Protection District had initially led the coordinated effort.
All road closures were to be lifted Tuesday evening and overnight. County Road 245 was expected to be closed again Wednesday morning so crews could resume operations.
While firefighters had relative success Tuesday fighting the blaze, a red flag warning has been issued for Wednesday, which could cause the fire to grow and become more serious, Graham said.
All fixed-wing aircraft ceased operations as of 6:30 p.m. but will continue Wednesday if necessary. Helicopter crews continued to work Tuesday evening, Graham said.
Ground crews will return early Wednesday, and fire behavior will determine further actions throughout the day, she said.
Sheriff Sean Smith said conditions on the ground had improved as of 5:15 p.m. He said the fire was burning south of the Tween Lakes and Enchanted Forest subdivisions, and a ridgeline separated the fire from the homes. A couple of spot fires crested the ridge, but fire crews were able to douse those before they made a run to the north, he said.
A large air tanker, a helicopter and support aircraft were on scene.
Brad Beaver, who helped a friend evacuate, also said the fire appeared to be dying down as of 5:15 p.m. There was less smoke and an air tanker had laid down a good line of slurry along the ridgeline, he said.
“It does look like it’s improving,” Beaver said.
The fire is different from the 76 Fire that broke out Monday, though both are in the same general area, said Butch Knowlton, director of La Plata County’s Office of Emergency Management.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
