Upper Pine River Fire Protection District and Black Hills energy responded to a punctured natural gas line at a construction site on Wild Horse Drive in Bayfield.
A shelter in place was ordered for a half-mile radius around Louisiana and Wild Horse Drive.
The 2-inch gas main operated by Black Hills Energy was nicked by a backhoe operator working for the developer of the Mustang Crossing Development at about 1:44 p.m., said Upper Pine Fire Chief Bruce Evans.
The gas was leaking into the atmosphere, but gas monitors on the perimeter had not detected concerning levels, Evans said. Warm temperatures were helping gas rise and dissipate instead of staying low and moving into people’s homes.
Fire crews were on scene with hose lines deployed, and Black Hills were performing the repair by digging up the gas line before and after the break and applying clamps to both sides to stop the leak.
One side had been clamped by about 3 p.m., and the other side was expected to be clamped sometime just before 4 p.m., Evans said.
The danger remains low, he said.
This is a developing story. Check back with www.durangoherald.com for updates.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
