Wildfire

Local News

Three wildfires create smoky skies across Southwest Colorado

Conditions likely to linger through the weekend, meteorologists say

July 11, 2025 • Shane Benjamin — Herald Staff Writer

Fire

Firefighters stop 3-acre blaze near Marvel

Grinder throwing sparks suspected of starting fire

July 11, 2025 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Colorado Department of Transportation

Red Mountain Pass reopens after Snow Shed Fire

Highway 550 closed for 24 hours over wildfire safety concerns

June 23, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

New Mexico

Wildfires continue to grow in New Mexico

conditions fuel spread of blazes in western New Mexico

June 20, 2025 • Hannah Grover — Special to the Tri-City Record

Animal

Photos: Family of foxes frolic north of Durango

A family of foxes, or a skulk, play outside their den on Friday near Hermosa. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)cca A family…

June 10, 2025 • Jerry McBride — Herald Photo Editor

Durango Fire Protection District

Durango fire chief stresses wildfire mitigation amid drought, limited resources

Efforts focus on early action, community awareness and smart planning

May 30, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Special to the Herald

Durango Fire Protection District

Firefighters respond to 1-acre wildfire on Shalona Hill north of Durango

put a line around the blaze, stopping its advance

May 23, 2025 • Shane Benjamin — Herald Staff Writer

Crime

Montrose County man pleads guilty after dog cremation led to wildfire

Garber was charged in connection with the Bucktail Fire, which burned 7,000 acres

May 22, 2025 • Tom Hesse — Colorado Public Radio

Emergency incident

La Plata County prepares for unexpected in annual wildfire drill

is an exercise in asking, and answering, ‘What do we do?’

April 25, 2025 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

La Plata County Commissioners

Colorado wants fire-resistant houses, but La Plata County says enforcement will be costly

Proposed wildfire code could also drive up rural building costs

April 20, 2025 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Emergency Management Director Butch Knowlton

La Plata County urges residents to register for emergency notifications before wildfire drill

of evacuation alert system set for Monday during annual exercise

April 14, 2025 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

AP New Mexico

On the heels of a dry winter, firefighters around the U.S. brace for wildfire risks

Four Corners is on the radar for high fire potential given the unfavorable conditions

April 2, 2025 • TY ONEIL and SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN — Associated Press

Bayfield

Fire mitigation work near Forest Lakes will begin next month

removal at Grassy Mountain will protect 1,200 homes near Bayfield

March 20, 2025 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Durango Fire Protection District

After L.A., demand for wildfire risk assessments surge

La Plata County homeowners take steps to defend homes from wildfires

March 10, 2025 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

Tourism, firefighting capability threatened by firings in Southwest Colorado

‘Any reduction … impacts firefighting,’ Forest Service official tells La Plata County

March 3, 2025 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Colorado 3rd Congressional District

Will the Fix our Forests Act fix our forests? The right way?

Rep. Jeff Hurd backs legislation to fast-track fire mitigation efforts while cutting opportunity for public input

February 25, 2025 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Wildfire

How better water systems can help places like Boulder County survive the next firestorm

utilities are reckoning with the reality that they must build back better

February 21, 2025 • Brittany Peterson — Associated Press

Fire

Federal employees sound alarm as firings take place in Southwest Colorado

Juan National Forest employees were fired Thursday; those who remain say downsizing jeopardizes recreation and elevates wildfire risk

February 15, 2025 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Arts & Entertainment

As Los Angeles burns, Hollywood’s Oscar season turns into a pledge drive

The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Jan. 7.…

January 15, 2025 • Jake Coyle and Lindsay Bahr — The Associated Press

Emergency incident

Colorado firefighters arriving to help with ‘apocalyptic’ California fires

The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7,…

January 10, 2025 • Haylee May — Colorado Public Radio

Fire

Despite predictions, Southwest Colorado had an unusually quiet wildfire season

Ignitions on San Juan National Forest were just 12% of the five-year average

December 18, 2024 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Colorado Legislature

Insurance commissioner unveils bill to reduce homeowners’ insurance costs at Durango stop

Proposed legislation would force insurers to take wildfire mitigation efforts into account

October 15, 2024 • Reuben M. Schafir — Herald Staff Writer

Fire

U.S. Forest Service funding will improve preparation for wildfires in San Juan National Forest

Project will focus on wooded areas near homes

September 29, 2024 • Maria Tedesco — Herald Staff Writer

Colorado

Department of Homeland Security adds sniffing device to AI tools helping fight wildfires in Colorado

County was the first place in the U.S. to adopt a sensor with the smelling power of a dog that…

September 20, 2024 • Tracy Ross — The Colorado Sun