Durango Fire Protection District

Low snowpack, drought heighten fears of severe wildfire

fire agencies warn region is 'set up for a really bad year'

February 18, 2026 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Durango Fire Protection District

U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management conduct pile burns near Durango

snow and rain created safe conditions for burning, fire official says

February 17, 2026 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Durango Fire Protection District

Cause of last summer’s Elkhorn Fire north of Durango remains undetermined

Investigators cite multiple potential ignition sources

January 22, 2026 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Durango Fire Protection District

Photos: Not afraid of heights

Durango Fire Protection District firefighter Ryan McNamara makes his way down the 107-foot ladder as Josh Schmidt, left, gets ready…

January 18, 2026 • Jerry McBride — Herald Photo Editor

Durango Fire Protection District

Fire and ice: Mitigation and burn piles help fortify against wildfires

urban-wildland interface is changing – so is the approach to wildfire preparedness

December 10, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Durango

Controlled burns planned within Durango city limits

mitigation area encompass roughly 100 acres of urban-wildland interface

November 28, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Construction and property

Durango Fire, county officials douse fears of building cost increases with adoption of new wildfire code

‘We want to do the right thing for the community now so it saves us 20 years from now’

November 22, 2025 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Construction and property

Firefighters memorialized outside Durango Fire Protection District station

downtown station on display at open house on Saturday

November 15, 2025 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Durango Fire Protection District

Voters approve Durango Fire Protection District property tax increase

thanks voters for putting their trust in the department

November 5, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Ballot initiatives

La Plata County voters receive crash course in this year’s ballot measures

of Women Voters hosts discussion, information session

November 1, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Ballot initiatives

You had questions about La Plata County ballot measures. We dug up some answers

will decide host of tax hikes, school board candidates Nov. 4

October 26, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Ballot initiatives

Durango fire district responds to opposition over proposed property tax increase

and con statements published ahead of ballots being mailed

October 11, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Durango Fire Protection District

Free sandbags available in La Plata County ahead of storm

rain could cause flooding in the Four Corners

October 9, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Durango Fire Protection District

Explosives scare north of Durango ends not with a bang but … an abundance of caution

Hazardous material prompts evacuations, closure of U.S. Highway 550

September 29, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Durango Fire Protection District

Sept. 11 Sky Steps climb honors first responders, reminds attendees of shared humanity

responders come together to support one another

September 11, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Durango Fire Protection District

Durango Fire Protection District makes case for mill levy increase

Increased property tax is best way to pay for new station, chief says

September 8, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Animas River Trail

Animas River Trail and west 12th Street to close Sept. 8-26

and fire department replacing drainage pipe, closing pathway for public safety

September 4, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Durango Fire Protection District

La Plata County fire restrictions to be lifted Friday

Decision comes after return of monsoonal rain

September 4, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Durango

City accepting pro and con statements for Durango fire district’s property tax ballot question

Proposal to voters would raise property taxes by 4.45 mills

August 30, 2025 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Durango Fire Protection District

Rain returns to Southwest Colorado

Monsoonal moisture shows up behind schedule; is it enough to decrease fire danger?

August 25, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Durango Fire Protection District

Blue Ridge Fire 90% contained after rapid start, fast firefighter response

were put on evacuation, pre-evacuation notice in Forest Lakes subdivision Friday

August 16, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Durango Fire Protection District

Fast-growing Blue Ridge Fire breaks out south of Vallecito

Lakes subdivision placed on evacuation, pre-evacuation notices

August 15, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Durango Fire Protection District

Photos: Training to be prepared

Mark Fleming, on the backboard, a training captain with Upper Pine River Fire Protection District, plays an injured firefighter during…

August 7, 2025 • Jerry McBride — Herald Photo Editor

Durango

La Plata County, city of Durango to issue stage 2 fire restrictions

wildfires flare up across Western U.S., government agencies in the Four Corners urge residents to be extra cautious

August 7, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer