Wildfire

Take advantage of Wildfire Preparedness and Awareness Month

Smoke from the 416 Fire north of Durango burns in June 2018. (Courtesy of SJMA) The Missionary Ridge Fire ignited…

May 8, 2026

States across the wildfire-prone Western U.S. are using AI for early detection

Workers observe a tower where Pano AI cameras are installed for detecting wildfires, April 20 in Aurora, Colo. (Brittany Peterson/Associated…

May 4, 2026

Local News

Residents, firefighters rethinking water use ahead of wildfire season

Officials stress mitigation as drought strains firefighting resources

April 23, 2026

Local News

Bureau of Land Management to conduct prescribed burns northwest of Bayfield

Favorable weather will allow firefighters to safely remove flammable materials

April 13, 2026

Local News

Saul’s Creek burn marks return of ‘good fire’ to San Juan Forest playbook

Prescribed burn east of Bayfield will act as a backstop to future wildfires

April 1, 2026

New Mexico

Severe fire danger arrives early in the Four Corners

Officials urge residents to prepare as drought, heat and human activity raise wildfire risk

March 30, 2026

Local News

Prescribed burns scheduled northeast of Bayfield this weekend

U.S. Forest Service will reduce wildfire fuels across 255 acres

March 26, 2026

Local News

La Plata County adopts new wildfire resiliency code

State-mandated regulations aim to reduce fire risk; some worry rules will increase construction costs

March 24, 2026

Local News

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

Local News

BLM to conduct broadcast burns in La Plata County

Prescribed fires will remove fuel ahead of wildfire season

March 11, 2026

Local News

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

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

Local News

Low snowpack, drought heighten fears of severe wildfire

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

February 18, 2026

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

Local News

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

Investigators cite multiple potential ignition sources

January 22, 2026

Regional News

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

Regional News

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

Local News

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

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

December 17, 2025

Local News

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

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

New Mexico

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

Local News

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

New Mexico

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

Local News

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