Fire crews are still working to contain two wildfires that broke out near Durango on Saturday.
The Elkhorn fire, northeast of Durango, grew in size, but the Rim Road fire, on the Southern Ute Reservation, did not grow and reached enough containment for officials to lift evacuation orders for that fire.
Elkhorn fire
The Elkhorn fire burning grew more than 100 acres overnight, but is moving away from homes, fire officials said Monday.
The fire, approximately 13 miles outside of Durango, grew to 314 acres since Sunday, when it was roughly 204 acres. The fire remains uncontained, but crews were working Sunday to establish containment lines to keep the blaze from moving west toward homes.
Fire officials have ordered no additional evacuations since Sunday afternoon. The mandatory evacuation area is bordered to the south by Stevens Creek and to the west by County Road 253, County Road 250 and the Animas River, according to the county’s evacuation map. The north and east sides of the evacuation zone extended into the San Juan National Forest.
At least 181 firefighters and four helicopters were set to work the fire on Monday. Firefighters on Sunday night identified some new spot fires in the Bear Creek drainage sparked by the blaze and worked to contain them.
The fire ignited Saturday afternoon and is burning in dense scrub oak, primarily in the San Juan National Forest east of U.S. 550. The vegetation in the area is extremely dry, making it more flammable, fire officials said Monday.
Residents can call 970-385-8700 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. for updated evacuation information or view the current map online at readylaplata.org.
An evacuation shelter is open at Escalante Middle School in Durango.
Rim Road fire
Another fire burning in southwestern Colorado did not grow overnight and officials lifted evacuation notices.
The Rim Road fire on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation remained at 114 acres on Monday. Fire crews had established 25% containment of the blaze.
Officials at 1 p.m. Monday lifted evacuation notices for homes in the vicinity.
“Fire behavior has remained moderate, but crews remain vigilant and prepared to respond to any changes,” according to a news release Monday afternoon.
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