A low-intensity wildfire discovered Tuesday in the Boggy Draw area has grown to 40 acres, and a containment plan has been implemented, according to San Juan National Forest officials.
The Draw Fire is burning 8 miles northeast of Dolores near the junction of Forest Roads 527 and 528. It was started by lightning last weekend. By Wednesday, it had burned 12 acres; by Thursday, it had tripled in size.
Ten firefighters and two fire engines on Thursday were conducting burnout operations to contain the fire to an area surrounded by forest roads and trails.
“Live fuels are still holding moisture, which is resulting in slow fire spread,” said Patrick Seekins, Dolores District Fire Management officer. “Only pine litter and oak litter are burning right now, resulting in a low-intensity surface fire.”
The Forest Service had considered a more managed approach, allowing the fire to burn excess fuel.
With the Forest Service at a Planning Level 5 nationally, firefighting resources are focused on fighting several fires in the West; therefore, a very conservative approach is being taken with the Draw Fire, Ann Bond, a Forest Service public information officer, said in a news release.
Burnout operations are being conducted to manage the fire’s intensity.
“The fire is creeping along in ponderosa pine and oak brush, playing a natural role,” Padilla said.
Firefighters are focusing operations and patrols along the Boggy Draw Road (Forest Road 527) and Forest Road 528. Undeveloped private land exists 2 miles to the south, but Forest Service Road 528 has helped form the fire’s southern boundary, fire officials said. Crews will continue to patrol the area as long as the fire burns.
Smoke is expected to be visible from the Dolores Norwood Road (Forest Road 526). Smoke might also settle at night in Dolores and the surrounding area.
Travel should not be affected on roads in the area. However, some sections of the Boggy Draw trail system might be temporarily closed if the fire comes too close. Roadside signs will be posted to alert the public to fire operations, risks and closures.
The fire was reported by a McPhee Campground host who spotted it from the McPhee Overlook on Tuesday.
For more information, call the Dolores Ranger District at 970-882-7296.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
