InciWeb<\/a>, lists the cause as \u201cunknown.\u201d A longitude and latitude entered into the database pinpoints the fire just west of the train tracks in an area where nothing else is around.<\/p>\nThe Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is not taking responsibility for the fire, but that could change based on the outcome of local and federal fire investigations, General Manager John Harper told The Durango Herald on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are working with the investigators to see what the cause is,\u201d he said Tuesday. \u201cThere are three possible causes right now. Whichever one of the causes it happens (to be), then we will work with them to find a solution.\u201d<\/p>\n
Harper declined to elaborate on the three possible causes, saying he didn\u2019t want to speak on behalf of investigators.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, the fire grew to 4,000 acres, up from 3,000 acres on Tuesday. By Thursday, it had grown to 5,103 acres.<\/p>\n
Aerial missions had been planned Wednesday for the south flank of the fire, but fire officials said conditions on the ground didn\u2019t warrant the flights.<\/p>\n
Bethany Urban, a spokeswoman for the Type II firefighting team, said the crews were starting to make progress toward building containment lines rather than working on direct suppression and attack.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re really trying to get ahead and prepare those areas so that they can scout ahead of the fire and identify locations that they can engage the fire so if it does start to spread they can engage it in an area that is safe to do so,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Six helicopters are available to fight the fire, but they will be used only if it is necessary to aid the overall firefighting strategy, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re using those as conditions warrant,\u201d Urban said. \u201cIt kind of depends on the conditions of the weather as well as what they\u2019re trying to drop on, what kind of trees, what type of ground cover, and given that the topography is so complex, there are some areas where it\u2019s effective to drop suppressants from the choppers and others where it\u2019s not really very effective.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Thursday, efforts shifted to the Hermosa area of the fire\u2019s footprint.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe priority today will be in the Hermosa area, which is on the south side,\u201d Russo said Thursday morning. \u201cThat\u2019s pretty much where we\u2019re putting everyone, most of the crews. The fire is just getting too close for comfort to those structures and the residences.\u201d<\/p>\n
New evacuation orders were issued to 497 homes late Wednesday night, giving residents until 6 a.m. Thursday to leave. The evacuations included residences north from Cometti\/Mead Lane to the intersection of County Road 250C and U.S. Highway 550. The evacuation also included County Roads 201, 202, the north end of 203 and adjacent neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
Another pre-evacuation notice was issued for 751 residences from Mead\/Cometti\/Albrecht Lane south to Trimble Lane west from the Animas River to include Falls Creek Ranch, Hidden Meadows, Dalton Ranch north of Trimble Lane and Durango Regency.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Postal Service has limited about 800 deliveries off Highway 550 north of Mead Lane. The mail, including checks and prescriptions, is being held at the Durango Post Office, 222 W. Eighth St.<\/p>\n
Highway 550 was expected to close until the evacuations are complete, then reopen to residents with a police escort. Drivers will not be allowed to stop or drive down side roads through the corridor.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur top concern is public safety and firefighter safety,\u201d Russo said. \u201cWhatever we need to do to keep the firefighters safe, whatever we need to do to keep the public safe, we\u2019re going to be proactive about.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spot fires continue to be a problem for firefighters. One spot fire grew to 10 acres Wednesday on the west side of Highway 550 and east of an existing fire line.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was really active yesterday (Wednesday). A lot of it is because of the warm, dry conditions, and a lot of it was because of the wind. We\u2019re still in those severe fire conditions right now and that\u2019s what we\u2019re up against. Conditions are not in our favor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Russo said the new evacuations will give firefighters better access to fight the fires.<\/p>\n
Almost 620 firefighters were assigned to the blaze Thursday, with a majority of forces assigned to the southwest of the fire to protect homes in the Hermosa area. Crews will use sprinkler kits and will attempt to use hand crews and dozers to build containment lines to gain control of the fire.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re doing a lot of what they did yesterday, they\u2019re just ramping it up,\u201d Russo said Thursday. \u201cA lot of things have been done in preparation in case it comes down to protecting houses.\u201d<\/p>\n
Though the fire is growing mainly on the southwest side, the blaze is also expanding to the north, which prompted 34 homes to be placed on pre-evacuation notice Wednesday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Firefighters will continue to battle against \u201csevere fire weather,\u201d Russo said. Temperatures will be in the high 80s and 10 to 15 mph winds, with gusts that could reach up to 30 mph. There will be a minimum humidity from 6 to 11 percent. Smoke from the fire should clear out of Durango around 2 p.m., Russo said.<\/p>\n
Crews will have the aid of six helicopters fighting the blaze with water drops. Slurry drops aren\u2019t as effective on this fire for a number of reasons, including airplane visibility, proximity to the ground, and the effect slurry has in fighting the fire.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing able to do those bucket drops right now is crucial because they can really pinpoint where they\u2019re going to drop,\u201d Russo said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso with the smoke in the air, visibility being a little bit lower, they can be at a lower elevation than the big tankers. If the big tankers can\u2019t see the ground, then they can\u2019t drop. Because of the canopy cover and with how dry it is, slurry isn\u2019t a good tool right now. It\u2019s not penetrating the canopy of the trees to get to the ground, and if it does get to the ground, the way the conditions are, it\u2019s not as effective. Water is much more effective right now. Right tool for the job is what we\u2019re looking at right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
asemadeni@durangoherald.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n
What you need to know<\/h4>\n
Community resources
\n La Plata County government hotline for residents evacuating: (970) 385-8700.
\n Livestock can be evacuated to La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.
\n Four Corners Back Country Horsemen will assist with horse and livestock evacuations, call (570) 228-1340.
\n The Browning Ranch in Farmington volunteered to host horses during evacuations. Call Chris Maedche (505) 681-3595.
\n Small animals can be evacuated to La Plata County Humane Society, 111 South Camino del Rio.
\n Tips for pre-evacuation
\n For people who received a pre-evacuation notice, these steps can improve their safety and expedite departure should an evacuation become necessary.
\n Inside the house
\n Gather medications.
\n Pack a bag with clothing and essentials.
\n Shut off air conditioning and fans.
\n Shut all windows and doors before leaving.
\n If you have time, gather paperwork and photographs that cannot be replaced.
\n Outside the house
\n Gather flammable items and bring them inside (patio furniture, children\u2019s toys, door mats, trash cans, etc.).
\n Move propane barbecue appliances away from structures.
\n Connect garden hoses to outside water valves or spigots for use by firefighters.
\n Fill water buckets and place them around the house.
\n Don\u2019t leave sprinklers or water running; this can affect critical water pressure.
\n Leave exterior lights on so your home is visible to firefighters in the smoke or darkness of night.
\n Back your car into the driveway with vehicle loaded and all doors and windows closed. Carry your car keys with you.
\n Animals
\n Locate your pets and keep them nearby.
\n Prepare livestock for transport and plan to move them to a safe location early.
\n Pack food and medications for your pets.
\n Insurance
\n Take pictures of the interior of your house to remember and document personal possessions.
\n Determine what is sentimental and can\u2019t be replaced.
\n Donations
\n Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado is accepting monetary donations for Community Emergency Relief Fund. This fund is set up for broad-based community emergencies in Southwest Colorado. The Advisory Committee is working with government agencies and local businesses to develop a strategy for distributing the funds raised. Efforts will support local people and efforts related to 416 Fire. To donate to CERF, residents can send a check to The Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1673, Durango, CO 81302 or donate online at www.swcommunityfoundation.org
\n Donations of clothing and household items accepted at Discover Goodwill of Durango, 1230 Escalante Drive.
\n Financial donations can be made to the Community Emergency Relief Fund by calling (970) 375-5807.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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