Containment lines are built along the south and east portions of the fire, protecting homes and highways. There are no active fire lines on the west and northwest section of the fire, where the fire expands toward the Hermosa Creek Wilderness. Though the fire is 50 percent contained, officials aren\u2019t concerned about it expanding into the wilderness. High elevation and rocky ridges, as well as the rains that are forecast to occur, should stifle active fire.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t have lines in place, so we can\u2019t say it\u2019s contained,\u201d Fitzgerald said. \u201cBut we don\u2019t expect the fire to go anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no incentive to directly attack the blaze in the uncontained areas, Fitzgerald said. The fire poses little threat to human value, isn\u2019t expected to expand, and would be extremely difficult for firefighters to create fire line in the rugged terrain. Allowing the fire to burn could even help the forest against future wildland fires.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is burning up some fuels that will help the forest become more fire resistant in the future,\u201d Fitzgerald said.<\/p>\n
Although officials aren\u2019t actively battling the blaze, they will monitor the fire for impacts. Overnight flights will be the primary method for checking the intensity of the fire while ground crews mop up around containment lines and begin post-fire suppression rehabilitation.<\/p>\n
A Burned Area Emergency Response team completed an assessment of the probability of precipitation impacts on burned areas. The report was provided to La Plata County and the U.S. Forest Service to assist in planning for emergency responses and long-term recovery of burned lands.<\/p>\n The National Weather Service forecasts a 30 to 50 percent chance of precipitation Wednesday, with a chance of rain expected throughout the weekend. The rains aren\u2019t the monsoons however, which are expected to occur later in the month.<\/p>\n A flash-flood watch has been issued from noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday in anticipation of the rains. Pre-evacuation notices have been issued for 317 residences in Tripp Creek, Dyke Canyon, Hermosa Circle and Falls Creek Ranch for fear of flash flooding.<\/p>\n \u201cThese rain storms have been so spotty,\u201d Fitzgerald said. \u201cIf it hits in the right place, there could be some concern. If not, then no. They\u2019re just scattered thunderstorms so we don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n As of Tuesday, 178 people were assigned to the fire, though that number will likely decrease in coming days. The last out-of-town crews are expected to clock out on July 20, Fitzgerald said.<\/p>\n Officials have stopped posting updated information on the InciWeb page, and the 416 Fire page on Facebook was removed Monday evening. All public information will be posted on the San Juan National Forest Facebook page<\/a>.<\/p>\n