CORTEZ – A small wildfire in a remote section of the San Juan National Forest near the Divide Road (564) has burned five acres and triggered road and trail closures.
The 412 Fire was reported June 23 by a hiker, and is believed to be caused by lightning that was documented in the area last week. The low-intensity fire is burning in spruce and fir at 10,100 feet in elevation, near the Ryman and Salt Creek trails, about 5 miles east of the Roaring Fork trailhead in Montezuma County.
Fire officials said that because of wet conditions at the high elevation, they will allow the fire to burn for ecological benefits. Crews will closely manage the fire and let it play its role in making the forest more resilient to future fire, insect or disease.
“Firefighters will continue small burnout operations to contain the fire within predetermined boundaries by utilizing existing forest roads, trails and natural barriers, such as green meadows,” said Patrick Seekins, Dolores District Fire Management Officer. “Managing this fire to play its natural role within the ecosystem will provide for long-term ecosystem health and integrity of the forest.”
About 65 U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management crews were assigned to the fire on Tuesday, including the Columbine Wildland Fire Module, Storm Peak Wildland Fire Module, Craig Hotshots, four engines, one water tender, a fire prevention officer and various support personnel. Fire officials were conducting patrols in the Roaring Fork drainage along Forest Road 435 to the east and north along Forest Road 564 to Scott Creek along Forest Road 550. Undeveloped private land lies 5 miles downslope to the west, but there are numerous natural barriers that are expected to limit fire spread to the west.
Ground ignitions to control the fire were expected to resume on Wednesday, and additional ground ignitions, as well as aerial ignitions by helicopter, will occur as weather conditions allow.
Fire management will entail some area road and trail closures, including Roaring Fork Road (435), Scotch Creek Road and Hotel Draw Road (FS 550), Forest Road 564, Corral Trail, Salt Creek Trail, and Ryman Creek Trail.
A helicopter from Northern Colorado Helitack was also on scene. Seekins said the fire was burning at ground level.
“Only heavy dead and down fuels are burning right now, resulting in a low- to moderate-intensity surface fire,” he said. “These conditions are different compared to lower elevations, where cured cheatgrass and dry pinon-juniper could make it difficult for us to control a fire.”
Smoke is expected to be visible from Colorado Highway 145 at times.
Travel restrictions will be posted on roads along with roadside signs posted alerting the public to fire operations. Nighttime smoke may settle downslope in valleys to the south and west along Colorado 145 in the Dolores River Canyon.
Road closures will be posted on the ground with suggested reroutes. Closures so far are:
The portion of the Highline Colorado Trail between its intersections with the Clear Creek Trail No. 547 and Hotel Draw Road No. 550Big Bend Trail No. 519, Salt Creek Trail No. 559 in the Hermosa Creek WildernessRoaring Fork Road No. 435)Scotch Creek Road No. 550.1 and Hotel Draw Road No. 550Divide Road No. 564Corral Trail No. 521Salt Creek Trail No. 733Ryman Creek Trail 734/735
