The Lightner Creek Fire is expected to grow today as dry weather and high winds persist in the region, according to Scot Davis, public information officer for the Durango Interagency Command.
Although most residents in Durango awoke Thursday to relatively clear skies and the appearance the fire had died down, firefighters are bracing for another tough day.
Davis said it's typical fire behavior for a blaze to "lay down overnight" as temperatures and winds drop, and humidity increases. But as temperatures and winds increase throughout the day, so does the fire.
"We're expecting it to grow, but what it does remains to be seen," Davis said around 8:30 a.m. "We have no idea its direction or movement."
A red flag warning was issued for noon to 8 p.m. for most of western Colorado and eastern Utah, including the Durango area. The National Weather Service predicts winds of 10 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph in the afternoon.
The fire was reported about 4 p.m. Wednesday in the 1200 block of Lightner Creek Road, and quickly consumed 50 acres on the west side of the canyon a couple miles west of Durango. It is believed to have started at a house at 1255 Lightner Creek Road. Neighbors reported some loud booms and said the house was destroyed before firefighters arrived 20-30 minutes later.
A second "spot fire" - a term for a fire ignited outside the original burn area, usually due to a windborne ember - started on the east side of Lightner Creek Road and worked its way toward Perins Peak.
As of Thursday morning, the spot fire is estimated to have consumed 200 acres, and is working its way up the west side of Perins Peak, Davis said.
The fire is zero percent contained, Davis said.
In a morning briefing, officials said as of 8 a.m. no new structures are threatened, and there have been no injuries or fatalities.
Davis said evacuations remain in effect for residents on county roads 206, 207 and 208, affecting some 170 homes. The same goes for a pre-evacuation notice for the RockRidge subdivision, he said.
Davis said there's no timeline for when the evacuations and road closures may be lifted. The American Red Cross set up a shelter at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.
About 50 personnel with seven firefighting apparatuses will be working the blaze Thursday, Davis said. Air support, including a helicopter and air tankers, will be part of that effort.
Davis said since there is only one way in and out of the burn area - if the fire starts rolling north in the County Road 207/208 area, ground crews would have to pull back and rely on air operations.
Davis reminded residents to not fly drones over the area. A person flying a drone near the RockRidge subdivision caused air operations to cut short Wednesday. Durango police did not immediately respond to inquires on whether the pilot was located.
There were 19 people who spent the night at the La Plata County Fairgrounds in the evacuation center, said Red Cross volunteer Greg Roswell.
Arizona residents Mike and Sue Spahle were among those who stayed in the shelter. They were camping at the Lightner Creek campground when the fire started and thought it would be contained so they came into town for dinner and couldn't get back in. They left behind a tent and other camping equipment.
"If it goes up in flames so be it. We don't have anything too valuable," Mike Spahle said.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
To help
The evacuation center at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave., is accepting donations for evacuees from the Lightner Creek Fire. Toiletries are the biggest need, but it also is accepting bottled water and nonperishables.
The La Plata County Humane Society needs cat and dog food, cat litter and food bowls for animals that were evacuated. Many of the animals have been taken to the Humane Society. You can donate at 1111 South Camino del Rio. Horses are being housed at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.
Smoke precautions
San Juan Basin Public Health Department advises that smoke from the fire may cause problems for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and the elderly. Consider limiting outdoor activity; people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill.
Other tips to protect yourself:
Close windows and doors and stay inside. However, do not close up your home tightly if it makes it dangerously warm inside.
Only if they are filtered, run the air conditioning, your evaporative cooler, or the fan feature on your home heating system (with the heat turned off). Keep the outdoor air intake closed and be sure the filter is clean. Filtered air typically has less smoke than the air outdoors. Running these appliances if they are not filtered can make indoor smoke worse.
As temperatures cool in the evening, inversion conditions worsen and smoke in low lying areas may become thicker, especially if the outdoor air is still. It tends to be worst near dawn.
Close bedroom windows at night.
To prepare for nighttime smoke, consider airing out your home in early to mid afternoon when smoke tends to be more diluted. Use your best judgment. If smoke is thick during the day, follow the tips above.
