Firefighters quickly put down a small grass fire that started Saturday afternoon just east of Elmore’s Corner along U.S. Highway 160.
Within 20 minutes of arriving at the fast-moving fire, firefighters had it controlled, said Battalion Chief Michael Krupa with Durango Fire Protection District. The cause of the fire is unknown, he said.
It was reported about 1:30 p.m., and by 2 p.m., firefighters were mopping it up, he said.
Authorities closed down U.S. Highway 160 and diverted traffic down County Road 229 to allow them to fight the fire.
Colorado Department of Transportation said the highway was reopened at about 2:40 p.m.
“When we arrived on scene, the fire was approaching the highway, so we parked on the highway to attack the fire with water,” Krupa said.
Firefighters had to rely on water from brush trucks and tankers to fight the fire, he said.
Even though Durango did get some snow in the last week, Krupa said it is still dry and fire has the potential to spread fast.
“Be extra careful with any type of ignition sources outside right now,” he said.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
