Wildfire

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

Fire

Temperatures hit 90s in Southwest Colorado, but it’s not a ‘heat wave’

weather expected through week in Cortez, Durango and Pagosa Springs

August 19, 2025 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Dolores

Crews reinforce lines as hot, dry weather threatens to feed Stoner Mesa Fire

‘Rolling debris may cause uphill runs, torching, and spotting’

August 17, 2025 • The Journal

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

Colorado

Polis declares statewide disaster emergency due to critical fire weather conditions, fires burning across Western Slope

A column of smoke and flames inside the evacuation zone of the Lee Fire along Highway 13 between Meeker and…

August 15, 2025 • Stina Sieg and Tegan Wendland — Colorado Public Radio

Air quality

Smoke from fires on Western Slope is producing dangerous air quality across much of the state

of it is coming from the Lee, Elk and Crosho fires

August 15, 2025 • Tony Gorman — Colorado Public Radio

Archuleta County

All Oak Fire evacuation orders lifted Wednesday west of Pagosa Springs

homes lost; about 100 firefighters remain on scene

August 14, 2025 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Air quality

Multiple wildfires burn across Southwest Colorado

outside Rico and Pagosa Springs create smoky conditions and cause evacuations, power outages

August 12, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

As fire burns, Ute Mountain Ute tribe looks out for cultural heritage sites

site may have been affected, says public safety director

August 6, 2025 • Benjamin Rubin — Journal Staff Writer

Dolores

Update: Stoner Mesa Fire continues to grow, cause of fire confirmed

is predicted to be the biggest impact to nearby communities

August 6, 2025 • Bailey Duran — Special to The Journal

Local News

Fearless: The air tankers that help fight wildfires

Specialized aircraft helped quell initial spread of recent blazes

August 1, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

Elkhorn Fire expected to persist for coming weeks

Residents urged to be patient, trust fire crews to do their job

July 31, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

La Plata County didn’t escape wildfire season: Residents, firefighters recount a busy few days

gain ground on three blazes that sprang to life Saturday

July 30, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

Rim Road Fire 35% contained, crews working to douse hot spots

Firefighters have ‘boxed in’ the blaze, no structures lost

July 28, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Animas Valley

Elkhorn Fire expands to 314 acres

Aircraft to target spot fires in Bear Creek drainage

July 28, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Animas Valley

52 homes evacuated, more on alert from Elkhorn and Rim Road fires

Evacuees directed to Escalante Middle School shelter

July 27, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Contests

Three wildfires ignite across La Plata County, prompting evacuations

Elkhorn Fire north of Durango began as a house fire, spread to wildland

July 26, 2025 • Shane Benjamin — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

Pre-evacuation warning lifted for residents near Ute 63 Fire in southwest La Plata County

is 530 acres and 34% contained

July 21, 2025 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

Ute 63 Fire increased to 550 acres Friday

2 pre-evacuation warning remains in place for Colorado Highway 140 residents

July 18, 2025 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

Wildfire in southwest La Plata County prompts pre-evacuation notice

Federal Type 2 team to take command of 542-acre blaze Friday morning

July 17, 2025 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

Firefighters working 111-acre fire in remote part of southwest La Plata County

reportedly started by natural causes

July 15, 2025 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Headlines

Wildfire that destroyed historic Grand Canyon Lodge spread after being allowed to burn for days

structure was perched on the edge of the North Rim and offered sweeping views

July 14, 2025 • By Felicia Fonseca and Jamie Ding — Associated Press

Local News

Hickenlooper talks bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act

Legislation aims to improve wildfire resilience in the West

July 13, 2025 • Richa Sharma — Herald Staff Writer