A house that started on fire in Lightner Creek on Wednesday spread rapidly in the area, causing firefighters to enact evacuations of hundreds of residents.
Durango Fire Protection District firefighters set up structure protection on Wednesday during the Lightner Creek Fire. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A structure fire on Lightner Creek Road west of Durango on Wednesday quickly spread into the surrounding forest. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Tony Harwig acts as incident command on Wednesday during the Lightner Creek Fire west of Durango. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A helicopter heads to pick up water on Wednesday from a small pond in the valley near the Lightner Creek Fire west of Durango. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A heavy tanker drops a load of retardant during the Lightner Creek Fire on Wednesday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Smoke from the Lightner Creek Fire fills the area during sunset on Wednesday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango Fire Protection District firefighters set up structure protection on Wednesday during the Lightner Creek Fire. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango Fire Protection District firefighters set up structure protection on Wednesday during the Lightner Creek Fire. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango Fire Protection District firefighters set up structure protection on Wednesday during the Lightner Creek Fire. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A one-seater drops a load of retardant during the Lightner Creek Fire on Wednesday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A helicopter drops water near structures on Wednesday during the Lightner Creek Fire west of Durango. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
During the Lightner Creek Fire, a spot fire broke out east of the original fire on Wednesday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Evacuees Rich Wheeler, left, Carolyn Bidinger and Tre Bidinger talk with family and friends during the Lightner Creek Fire on Wednesday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Evacuees can only sit and watch the Lightner Creek Fire on Wednesday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango Fire Protection District firefighters set up structure protection on Wednesday at the Tall Pines Apartments as the Lightner Creek Fire burns just behind them. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A road block on County Road 206 as the Lightner Creek Fire burns in the background on Wednesday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango Fire Protection District firefighters try to control a structure fire on Wednesday during the Lightner Creek Fire. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango Fire Protection District firefighters try to control a structure fire on Wednesday during the Lightner Creek Fire. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango Fire Protection District firefighters set up protection for the Lightner Creek Mobile Home Park on Wednesday during the Lightner Creek Fire. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Fire retardant floats to the ground after being dropped by a tanker plane during the Lightner Creek Fire on Wednesday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A structure fire on Lightner Creek Road west of Durango on Wednesday quickly spread into the surrounding forest. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
