The Ute 63 Fire had burned 550 acres of Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute tribal lands, as well as private land near Hesperus, as of Friday evening.
A Bureau of Indian Affairs news release sent out at 6 p.m. Friday said “more accurate mapping” had been done, and that containment levels had been revised to 3% containment, down from the previously reported 25% Friday afternoon. By Saturday afternoon, containment was back up to 8%, according to the Interagency Fire Center.
According to the BIA release, firefighters on the ground, teamed with air tankers and helicopters, were able to make progress on containment efforts on the western edge of the fire on Thursday. Dozers were also dispatched to help prevent spread on the southern side, and handcrews will be dispatched for hand-cutting and fireline establishment on the “steep and rugged terrain” on the north edge of the fire.
Firefighters’ main efforts throughout the weekend will be focused on preventing fire progression on the eastern side, near La Plata Highway (Colorado Highway 140), to protect structures in the pre-evacuation zone.
Infrared mapping is also being employed to preemptively identify and suppress hot spots near structures along Highway 140, according to the release.
Friday’s rainfall reportedly helped containment efforts, allowing firefighters to work close to the blaze.
The pre-evacuation zone, spanning 25 structures near Highway 140, remains in place. Residents can sign up for emergency alerts by texting “LPCOEM” to 99411, or visiting www.readylaplata.org.
Smoke is expected to remain visible throughout the region due to the Ute 63 Fire and several other fires in the area. La Plata County remains under Stage 1 fire restrictions.
epond@durangoherald.com
