Wildfire

Fire

La Plata County to take tougher approach on fire risk in Forest Lakes

Officials say violations in Unit 3 will face enforcement and possible legal action

March 19, 2026 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

BLM to conduct broadcast burns in La Plata County

Prescribed fires will remove fuel ahead of wildfire season

March 12, 2026 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Insurance

Home insurance rates rising in La Plata County amid growing wildfire risk

Mitigation work can help, but it may not be enough to maintain property coverage

March 6, 2026 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

UPDATED Survey: What is your experience with home insurance and wildfires?

The Bureau of Land Management conducts a prescribed burn on Tuesday in the Grandview area northwest of Mercy Hospital. The…

February 27, 2026 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

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

New Mexico

NM wildfire claims office director on ‘administrative leave’ following six-figure payout

Announcement follows revelations Mitchell and his wife received $500K far from Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon perimeter

February 13, 2026 • By Patrick Lohmann — Source NM

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

Disaster (general)

Polis asks FEMA to reverse rejection of $41 million in disaster aid for Western Slope floods, fires

Governor adds an official appeal to the voices of elected officials

January 20, 2026 • By Mark Jaffe — The Colorado Sun

Headlines

Hurricane-force wind downs power lines, fans wildfires in Colorado

Power poles along U.S. Highway 93 near Golden, Colo., snapped in half during a strong wind storm on Wednesday, Dec.…

December 19, 2025 • By MEAD GRUVER — Associated Press

Conservation

GOCO awards $165,000 for restoration, conservation projects in La Plata County

Durango, Bayfield and La Plata Open Space Conservancy among grant recipients

December 18, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

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

New Mexico

By the #s: the places firefighters dropped retardant during Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire

residents call for more testing, Source NM analysis finds more than 900 wells in the burn scar

December 5, 2025 • By Patrick Lohmann — Source NM

Environmental cleanup

FEMA says NM fire victims will have to prove ‘causation’ to get payment for well contamination

Rep. Leger Fernández says office should create “protocol” quickly to address problem

November 25, 2025 • By Patrick Lohmann — Source NM

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

Environment

New Mexico officials, Mora residents say feds should respond to groundwater contamination

claims office has not said whether wildfire money can be used for wells

November 21, 2025 • Patrick Lohmann — Source NM

Construction and property

Durango adopts state mandated wildfire resiliency code expected to raise building costs 20%

Provisions will require adjustment from builders and clients alike

November 13, 2025 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Investigation

Woman billed $9,000 for Forest Lakes fire costs

Investigators know origin of blaze but can’t confirm who sparked it

October 28, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Forests

U.S. Sen. Bennet votes ‘no’ on Hickenlooper’s ‘Fix Our Forests Act’

Environmental bill advances out of Senate committee

October 25, 2025 • Abigail Hatting — Herald Staff Writer

Farms

Western Slope farmers and ranchers still tallying the cost of summer wildfires

Some of Mesa County rancher Janie VanWinkle's U.S. Forest Service grazing lands are only easily accessible by ATV or on…

October 8, 2025 • Dan Boyce — Colorado Public Radio

Local News

Prescribed burns outside Bayfield postponed amid federal shutdown

Mitigation work in Columbine Ranger District to be rescheduled

October 2, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Lemon Reservoir

Pound Fire east of Lemon Reservoir fully contained

Verde Drive pre-evacuation notices lifted

September 19, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

Dolores County lifts last preevacuation order; crews finish fire lines

Juan Team 8 moves command center into forest; fire activity slows to a creep

September 2, 2025 • The Journal

Camping

Blue Ridge Fire a symptom of larger problem

Unpermitted structures, illegal campfires and lax enforcement blamed for heightened wildfire risks in Forest Lakes subdivision

August 25, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

La Plata County Colorado

Blue Ridge Fire near Forest Lakes subdivision is fully extinguished

Evacuation, pre-evacuation notices lifted for all residents

August 19, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer