The graph is telling.
The number of wildland fires on the San Juan National Forest, and the number of acres burned, have steadily increased since 1975. The low fire years have become less frequent.
The graph from the San Juan Public Lands Center is part of a tally of their preparations for wildfire season. The graph shows 1977, one of the driest years in recent history, with around 130 fires. The next big fire year was 1989, with around 140 fires. The graph shows big fire years becoming more frequent, with more fires in the high fire years and more acres burned.
So far this year, La Plata County has had the 213 fire south of Durango along the Animas River, and a small fire on Missionary Ridge.
According to the SJNF news release, "The San Juan National Forest and its partners are gearing up for what may be an active wildfire season. ... The San Juan National Forest Ranger Districts (Columbine, Pagosa, and Dolores) are currently undergoing annual unit preparedness and capability reviews. The San Juan National Forest's seasonal fire crews of about 40 firefighters are on board and conducting preparedness drills at all Districts."
The Durango Interagency Fire Dispatch Center is fully staffed and started operating on summer hours as of May 3, seven days a week during normal business hours, with emergency calls 24/7. The dispatch center coordinates initial attacks on wildfires on federal and tribal lands in Southwest Colorado. It also predicts fire danger and weather and mobilizes resources from around the country in support of wildfire, prescribed fire, law enforcement, and other risk incidents.
The Durango Air Tanker Base at the Durango-La Plata County Airport can be opened within two days notice and will be fully operational on May 15. A 10 person helitack crew with a Type 2 helicopter at the tanker base is supposed to be certified and fully operational on May 15 as well.
The Bureau of Land Management operates a Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) base from Cortez. It's already operational.
"When fire danger is rated high, aviation resources are pre-positioned in Cortez, and an on-site SEAT manager is brought on board," the news release says. "Prior to this, the Durango Air Tanker Base can operate the Cortez Base within an hour's notice. A State of Colorado SEAT will soon be stationed at the Cortez Base, then transferred to the Durango Base when it opens."
In addition, the 20 person San Juan Hot Shot Crew has been certified for national availability and is operating at full force.
Dead and live fuel moisture sampling was to start in late April or early May in various locations to help determine fire danger.
Over the last 20 years, the San Juan National Forest has averaged 90 fires per year and 9,218 acres burned per year. Seventy-nine percent were lightning-caused, and 21 percent were human-caused.
2002, 2012, and 2013 were the most significant fire seasons in recorded history in terms of acres burned and structures lost.
