Complete containment of the Little Devil Fire, which is burning near U.S. Highway 160 and Colorado Highway 151, was achieved Monday, and Forest Service officials say they expect full control of the blaze before the end of the month.

The fire was recategorized Saturday from a Type 3 to a Type 4 fire, which means it has lessened in severity, officials said. Fires are classified by complexity on a 1-5 scale, with a 1 designation being the most severe.

Jodi Mallozzi, fire prevention technician with the Pagosa Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest, said a fire is considered contained when lines have been established around the entire perimeter of the blaze and officials believe the lines will hold. Controlled means there is no heat left or the fire has no chance of growing.

Ignited by lightning on Aug. 18, Little Devil spread across 48 acres between Bayfield and Pagosa Springs in the San Juan National Forest. Since then, the fire received 24 retardant drops, totalling 16,880 gallons.

Most of the 93 responders on scene last Friday have been reassigned, and Forest Service officials are no longer using air tankers.

“Responders are continuing mopping up,” Mallozzi said. “We’ve released quite a few resources. Right now, we’re looking good.”

Remaining hot spots are anticipated to stay contained, and they do not threaten private property.

Forest Service Road 626 has reopened for public use. Forest Service Road 627, which accesses the Devil Creek State Wildlife Area, is expected to reopen soon.

jpace@durangoherald.com