{"id":137679,"date":"2026-07-04T18:57:55","date_gmt":"2026-07-05T00:57:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/operations-team-grows-for-ferris-fire-as-it-spreads\/"},"modified":"2026-07-04T18:57:55","modified_gmt":"2026-07-05T00:57:55","slug":"operations-team-grows-for-ferris-fire-as-it-spreads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/operations-team-grows-for-ferris-fire-as-it-spreads\/","title":{"rendered":"Operations team grows for Ferris Fire as it spreads"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Dove
Dove Creek residents met Friday evening at the Dolores County Public Service Center to hear updates from officials and emergency managers on the Ferris Fire. The flames erupted a week ago. Smoke billows were seen at the meeting place in the 15-mile distance. (Ann Marie Vanderveen\/The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

After an active Friday where the Ferris Fire crossed parts of the low-flowing Dolores River and now climbs the western rim, fire officials expect to see another day of growing activity.<\/p>\n

The wildfire ignited a week ago and is located 15 miles northwest of Dolores.<\/p>\n

As it gets larger, it is showing a complex firefighting situation, according to San Juan National Forest spokesman Andy Lyon.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe expect after all the smoke has cleared out of the canyon, fire activity is going pick up again,\u201d Lyon said. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of fuel in the canyon, and it\u2019s all very dry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those sporting this holiday weekend, driving through or even residents in Montezuma County facing north can expect to see large plumes akin to the day prior.<\/p>\n

\"July
July 4 map of the Ferris Fire, at 38,274 acres, 9% containment, as provided by the San Juan Team 8 news release.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Weather, dry fuels and vastly varying terrain continue to contribute to growth, most recently mapped at 38,274 acres, as personnel exceeds to 500 firefighters.<\/p>\n

As of Saturday, parts of the southern flank are 9% contained. This control line does not mean extinguished, it means firefighters are confident the fire will not escape a specific area, though it is not a guarantee.<\/p>\n

\"Smoke
Smoke rises the Dolores Canyon\u2019s western rim, as shown in this InciWeb incident photo.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The
The Ferris Fire makes a push north around Benchmark Lookout Tower. On Friday, tactics used combined a fixed-wing aircraft, large air tankers and the Super Scooper planes to drop water and retardant, as seen in the screen captures. (Photo Courtesy of InciWeb)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Lyon said its vastness, quick-changing dynamics, and coordinating firefighters around the entire perimeter \u2013 which would take three hours to drive completely \u2013 have resulted in San Juan National Forest officials calling up another incident management team.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven in our expanded capacity, it is getting a bit much for us to successfully manage. We need more horsepower in that regard,\u201d Lyon said.<\/p>\n

The team specifically coordinates personnel logistics \u2013 everything from meals, accommodations and resources, such as providing chainsaw fuel.<\/p>\n

Currently, no structures are burning. The fire grows west, north and moves swiftly on the northeast flank near Benchmark Lookmark Tower \u2013 which remains heavily fortified and is not burning. The east side was less active Friday.<\/p>\n

\"Benchmark
Benchmark Lookout Tower on the Ferris Fire\u2019s northeast side is doused in retardant. (InciWeb)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

San Juan Team 8\u2019s charge continues to be protecting homes, private land and valuable infrastructure such as the power lines on the Dolores River Canyon side.<\/p>\n

However, Lyon stressed, ensuring the safety of men and women ground troops fighting Ferris Fire is more pertinent.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to be really mindful about that because the memorial service for three firefighters who died not very far away and not very long ago is being held tomorrow,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a very challenging situation. We got to do everything we can to make sure that all these women and men can go home to their families at the end of the day,\u201d Lyon added.<\/p>\n

Operations: What Saturday entailed<\/div>\n

Fire growth Friday led to Dolores County Office of Emergency Management issuing an evacuation<\/a> for homes located in Zone 8. Homes located in zones 7 and 9 are under the \u201cget set\u201d status, meaning those are not prompted to leave but should be ready to given fire conditions and proximity.<\/p>\n

\"Friday\u2019s
Friday\u2019s \u201cSuper Scooper\u201d planes dropped roughly 73,000 gallons on the Ferris Fire. The planes use the McPhee Reservoir in 15-20 minute intervals. San Juan Team 8 said recreationists will see the planes throughout Saturday; McPhee is not closed to recreationists and people should stay alert and stay within 100 feet from the shoreline, 50 feet if possible, according to the Ferris Fire Information incident page. (Photo\/Ferris Fire Information)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Operations for Saturday continued to see support from air tankers\u2019 retardant drops. As was the case Friday where 14 from around the country flew in as personnel focused on the west side to protect those power lines.<\/p>\n

\u201cSuper Scooper\u201d aircraft rapidly descended into the McPhee Reservoir throughout Saturday; planes dropped water to keep the fire\u2019s intensity down. This allows ground troops to charge and work closer to the flames.<\/p>\n

<\/p>