Wildfire

Bayfield

2 small fires burning in Pagosa Ranger District

less than one-tenth of an acre and rain expected in area

July 26, 2021 • Patrick Armijo — Herald staff writer

Local News

Two small fires burn in east La Plata County

were sparked by lightning

July 24, 2021 • Herald Staff Report

Cortez

Lightning sparks more than a dozen fires

contained; largest was 62-acre East Toe fire near Towaoc

July 21, 2021 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Air quality

Western wildfires blamed for hazy skies; cooler temperatures forecast

possible Wednesday through Friday

July 12, 2021 • Herald Staff Report

Colorado 3rd Congressional District

Boebert introduces bill to pay for logging, raise timber revenue

Legislation aims to keep timber profits in rural communities

July 10, 2021 • Kaela Roeder — Herald Staff Writer

Arson

Man charged with arson in connection to string of wildfires

Rugg said he suffers from PTSD, has blackout episodes, affidavit says

June 28, 2021 • Herald Staff Report

Drought

Officials aware of 31 fires in southwest La Plata County

Nineteen of those blazes are controlled or extinguished

June 21, 2021 • Shannon Mullane — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

Firefighters battle dry, windy conditions in Southwest Colorado; Trail Canyon Fire at 840 acres

Creek Fire 2, burning near Towaoc, contained at 150 acres

June 20, 2021 • Patrick Armijo — Herald staff writer

Fire

Fires break out in southwestern La Plata County

visible from Highway 140

June 19, 2021 • Nick Gonzales — Herald Staff Writer

Cortez

Update: Wildfire grows southeast of Mesa Verde as winds shift

Additional Hotshots arriving at fire west of Cortez Municipal Airport

June 18, 2021 • The Journal

Durango

Wildfire east of Durango now 100% contained

Vosburg Pike Fire is 67 acres in size

June 17, 2021 • Shannon Mullane — Herald Staff Writer

Durango Fire Protection District

Evacuations lifted for homes near 70-acre wildfire east of Durango

is 75% contained; cause remains under investigation

June 16, 2021 • Shane Benjamin — Herald Staff Writer

Arson

Man arrested on suspicion of starting multiple fires, including seven Tuesday night

‘I hope they finally caught this guy and it stops,’ says fire chief

June 16, 2021 • Shannon Mullane — Herald Staff Writer

Drought

Fire restrictions coming to Southwest Colorado

campfires, smoking, fireworks will be banned starting Wednesday

June 15, 2021 • Patrick Armijo — Herald staff writer

Colorado

‘Extremely critical’ fire warning for first time in 15 years as Western Slope drought worsens

45% of Colorado, all west of the Continental Divide, now in some state of drought

June 12, 2021 • By Olivia Prentzel — The Colorado Sun

Farmington

Farmington urges residents to refrain from fireworks and other fire sources

Juan County is in the ‘worst level’ of drought

June 11, 2021 • Morgan Mitchell — Herald staff writer

Fire

Before a prescribed burn comes a ton of planning

of analysis and years of study precede ignition

June 9, 2021 • Patrick Armijo — Herald staff writer

Air quality

14 wildfires in Arizona, New Mexico create hazy skies to Southwest Colorado

Largest blaze is listed at 65,825 acres

June 8, 2021 • Patrick Armijo — Herald staff writer

Agriculture

Chew on this: Goats mow down fire danger in La Plata County neighborhood

eats through dense Gambel oak and ponderosa pine to create defensible space

June 4, 2021 • Shannon Mullane — Herald Staff Writer

416 Fire

How three subdivisions came to embrace wildfire mitigation

Sometimes, it takes a close call, or worse, to spur action

June 2, 2021 • Shannon Mullane — Herald Staff Writer

Disaster (general)

Sen. Bennet reintroduces disaster mitigation bill

Bipartisan legislation would provide tax credit for investing in prevention

June 2, 2021 • Kaela Roeder — Herald Staff Writer

Environment

La Plata County adds teeth to fire restrictions ahead of summer

Changes include penalties and flexibility for implementing burn bans

May 28, 2021 • Shannon Mullane — Herald Staff Writer

Environment

Ice Lakes Trail near Silverton closed for summer

Popular route faces impacts from 2020 fire

May 27, 2021 • Shannon Mullane — Herald Staff Writer

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Associated Press New Mexico

Firefighter critically injured battling New Mexico wildfire

SANTA FE – A wildland firefighter was critically injured while fighting a wildfire on private land in southwestern New Mexico…

May 25, 2021 • The Associated Press