Three new lightning-triggered fires were identified Tuesday evening burning in the Pagosa Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest.
The fires are burning in addition to the Spruce Fire, which was discovered earlier in the day Tuesday.
The Spruce Fire remains about 10 acres in size.
A line has been established around the Spruce Fire with fire activity still present. Hoses have been laid around the blaze, and an engine will be suppressing any hot spots along the line and mop up is underway.
The three new fires are:
The Serviceberry Fire, which is about 25 acres in size and is actively burning in the Winter Hills area, 6 miles southeast of Pagosa Springs. The fire is burning in ponderosa pine and Gambel oak, where there are areas of heavy dead and down trees that are putting up smoke.Currently, one engine, a 20-person hand crew and a Type 3 helicopter from Mesa Verde National Park are fighting the fire as a shared resource with fires burning on Southern Ute Indian Tribe land. Smoke from this fire may be visible from Archuleta County Road 326 and U.S. Highway 84.
The Castle Creek Road Fire, which is 15 miles east-southeast of Pagosa Springs at about one-tenth an acre in size. It is controlled, which means a line has been established around the fire perimeter and the fire has been mopped up. Some smoke may be visible.The Opal Fire, which is burning in the South San Juan Wilderness near the Leche Creek Trail at 9,000 feet in spruce and fir. Personnel are evaluating objectives and tactics for suppressing this incident after the area received heavy rain Tuesday evening. Smoke may be visible from Archuleta County Road 326 and the Upper Blanco.No structures are currently threatened from any of these fires.
Multiple other smoke reports have been received and will be investigated on Tuesday.
Monsoonal moisture is predicted Tuesday. However, fire managers said some areas have received heavy rain, but moisture in other areas continues to be dry and spotty.
Two additional engines have been ordered and are expected to arrive in the Pagosa Ranger District on Tuesday..
To report a new fire on federal lands, contact the Durango Interagency Fire Dispatch Center at 385-1324.
parmijo@durangoherald.com
