Smoke from a wildfire burning near Pagosa Springs can be seen from U.S. Highway 160.
The West Fork Fire was started by a lightning strike June 5 and has burned about 150 acres, but no structures are threatened, the U.S. Forest Service said in a news release Friday.
The fire is burning in steep terrain about one-half mile from the West Fork Trailhead. The trail has been closed to the public. The fire reached the northwest corner of private property at Borns Lake on Thursday evening.
Two hand crews and three helicopters have been ordered to support the firefighters who already are on scene to protect the cabins and outbuildings on private property, the release said.
Smoke is expected to settle in the West Fork area during the night.
A lightning strike started another fire in the area Thursday.
The Windy Pass Fire has burned 5 acres about 12 miles northeast of Pagosa Springs. Crews were expected to hike into the area Friday morning.
jdahl@durangoherald.com