The quarter-acre Engineer Fire, burning about 1 mile south of Engineer Mountain, was listed as 100% controlled Sunday morning, and firefighters anticipate they will be able to extinguish the fire before the end of the day.
Eight firefighters were still working the fire Sunday, but they anticipate dousing the burn and hiking out of the area the same day, said Lorena Williams, partnership coordinator with the San Juan National Forest.
The firefighters don’t anticipate the need for engines or other resources as they mop up Sunday.
The burn is in an area inaccessible by roads, and firefighters were initially brought in by Helitack helicopter flights.
The fire was listed as 100% contained at 5 p.m. Saturday.
The cause of the fire was unknown as of Sunday, Williams said.
“Controlled” means the fire lines built around the entire perimeter of the fire are reasonably expected to hold under foreseeable conditions. “Contained” means that fire lines have been completed around the perimeter of the blaze.
“They got on scene quickly and there’s been no additional growth on the fire due to a quick response,” Williams said on Saturday.
The San Juan National Forest received measurable rain and snowfall in recent weeks, and fire danger is moderate.
On Wednesday, Forest Service officials rescinded fire restrictions in the national forest, which meant visitors can have campfires.
In spite of the rain, snow and increased humidity, San Juan National Forest officials remind visitors to always practice fire safety, remain diligent and prevent human-caused fire.
Visitors are encouraged to practice these principles of outdoor fire safety:
Clear all flammable material within 3 feet of campfire rings.Make a fire only if you have a shovel and sufficient water to put it out.Never leave a fire unattended.Keep fires small and manageable.Extinguish fires completely. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave. Every campfire should be put dead out before leaving it.
parmijo@durangoherald.com
Clear all flammable material within 3 feet of campfire rings.Make a fire only if you have a shovel and sufficient water to put it out.Never leave a fire unattended.Keep fires small and manageable.Extinguish fires completely. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave. Every campfire should be put dead out before leaving it.
