A controlled burn got slightly out of hand Friday afternoon on County Road 216 about 10 miles south of Durango but died down before doing any big damage, fire authorities said.
The man doing the seemingly routine task was unable to control the blaze as winds carried the flames over, igniting a fence post on the property.
“We used it as an educational moment to teach them for the future,” said Karola Hanks, fire marshal with the Durango Fire Protection District.
The man did not have a permit but was not cited because of the fire’s minimal destruction, Also, he took measures to keep the burn under control, Hanks said. If the fire would have engulfed a structure or neighboring property, he would have been cited, she said.
Durango Fire responded to the blaze, but by the time it arrived the fire was under control, Hanks said.
A recent spate of fires has kept officials on high alert.
Thursday, a fire at the Mountain Vista mobile park near Elmore’s Corner left two families homeless and put other nearby residents in serious danger. Though the fire was not caused by a controlled burn, the accidental fire grew rapidly because of dry weather conditions, Hanks said.
“It was a wind-driven fire, instead of a fuel-driven fire,” she said.
Strong winds caused the fire to spread from its starting point to a neighboring mobile home.
Another fire Friday, this one along County Road H in Montezuma County near Mancos, threatened homes but did not damage them. Mancos firefighters helped extinguish the fire that started as a control burn.
The reoccurring blazes have officials vigilant and urging the public to be extra attentive with any fire, especially during open burns. Also, a person must fill out a permit before starting a controlled burn.
“If you don’t need to have a fire, think about it before you do it,” Hanks said.
With winter coming to an end, county residents will welcome more than just warm, sunny weather and blooming flowers. The season’s low relative humidity is affecting fire behavior tremendously, Hanks said.
“Weather conditions are volatile and dry. We remind everyone to be really careful,” she said.
vguthrie@durangoherald.com
Open burning tips
Tips for conducting controlled burns from the Durango Fire Protection District:
Check the forecast: Early morning is the best time for open burning. Wind potential is low, humidity is high and the weather is cool. Afternoon is the worst time to start a controlled burn.
Light only what you can control: Match the amount you are lighting with your available resources. If you have only five-gallon buckets, then keep your fire small. Using a scratch line by digging it with a shovel helps prevent your fire from spontaneously spreading.
Use the proper tools: shovels, rakes and more than just yourself.
Ask for help: The Durango Fire Protection District is always willing to answer questions about controlled burns. It also offers limited assistance to people who are first-time burners, uncomfortable with the task, elderly, handicapped or facing inherently dangerous conditions.
Burn permits
Permits are not required for agricultural burns on land designated as agricultural for tax purposes. For more information about acquiring burn permits:
Durango Fire Protection District: www.durangofirerescue.org or 382-6023.
Los Pinos Fire (Ignacio): www.lospinosfire.com or 563-9501.
Fort Lewis Mesa Fire (Marvel): www.flmfire.org or 759-1153.
Upper Pine River Fire (Bayfield): www.upperpinefpd.org or 884-9508.
