A small wildfire broke out Tuesday about 10 miles north of Durango in the Animas Valley.

The fire was reported at 11:12 a.m. near the 11000 block of East Animas Road (County Road 250), and scorched about a quarter acre.

The fire was started by a juvenile lighting fires in a tree fort, said Randy Black, deputy chief of support services for Durango Fire Protection District.

Within a few minutes of being on scene, firefighters were able to get control of the fire and call off air support. A tactical aircraft was flying in the area in case of small spot fires.

Four DFPD fire engines and three Forest Service task force fire engines responded to the scene.

There was early concern the fire could spread through ponderosa pine trees, but firefighters were able to knock down the flames as of 12:15 p.m., according to DFPD Deputy Chief of Operations Michael Krupa.

A black plume of smoke was visible from U.S. Highway 550 near Honeyville.

Hot and dry weather, along with the surrounding forest, caused concern the fire could spread.

“Preliminary information indicates that there is no damage to property, just some of the trees in the area,” Black said.

Black said there were at least a couple of nearby houses, but no structures were involved. No injuries were reported in the incident.

tbrown@durangoherald.com