{"id":137436,"date":"2026-07-02T15:25:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T21:25:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.durangoherald.com\/tj\/ferris-fire-resources-focused-to-west-dolores-rim-to-fight-spread-protect-homes\/"},"modified":"2026-07-02T23:38:20","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T05:38:20","slug":"ferris-fire-resources-focused-to-west-dolores-rim-to-fight-spread-protect-homes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.durangoherald.com\/tj\/ferris-fire-resources-focused-to-west-dolores-rim-to-fight-spread-protect-homes\/","title":{"rendered":"Ferris Fire resources focused to west Dolores Rim to fight spread, protect homes"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"An
An air tanker drops the bright red, slurry mixtures, or fire retardant, on the edge of the Ferris Fire near to where Doe Canyon and the Dolores River meet on Wednesday. (Photo Courtesy of Ferris Fire Information)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

Fire crews continued their charge against the Ferris Fire on Thursday, committing fuller resources to the tricky terrain of northwest Dolores River Canyon where San Juan Team 8 officials anticipate flames will reach next.<\/p>\n

As flames catch the river in some parts, it means pivoting strategies.<\/p>\n

The area poses too much danger for firefighters to directly attack, while also not making it plausible for aircraft to fly below, said Lorena Williams, spokeswoman for the San Juan National Forest. Trying to haul heavy equipment is also ruled out \u2013 it\u2019s too narrow and steep.<\/p>\n

The Ferris Fire remains 0% contained as of Thursday. It has burned nearly 27,400 acres since three wildfires erupted six days ago before merging. The blazes are believed to have been started by lightning strikes.<\/p>\n

The fire is located about 15 miles northwest of McPhee Reservoir and Dolores township, affecting both Montezuma and Dolores counties. Firefighting is led by an incident three team, the San Juan Team 8, and includes growing units each day with up to 280 people and brigades from various regions.<\/p>\n

\"According
According to a Thursday morning news release, fire officials anticipate the Ferris Fire northwest of Dolores to cross the Dolores River in some parts on Thursday, which will result in small, upslope runs for the western rim. Crews are prepared for this to occur. Large scale runs to the north are not expected, officials said in the release. (Courtesy of San Juan Team 8 and Ferris Fire Information)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

On Thursday, the arrival of the \u201cSuper Scooper\u201d aircraft out of Alaska is anticipated for additional air support and may start pulling water from McPhee Reservoir on Friday, the release said.<\/p>\n

So far, no private land or structures are burning, Williams said, although evacuation orders are in affect for the Glade Ranch subdivision area and could be imposed shortly for other private inholdings near the river canyon.<\/p>\n

Ferris Fire backed down Doe Canyon overnight Wednesday and is likely to run up the canyon soon, causing fire officials to impose indirect suppression.<\/p>\n

\"A
A firefighting night operation to combat the Ferris Fire northwest of Dolores was held Wednesday. (InciWeb)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"A
A Ferris Fire Information incident page shot of Wednesday night\u2019s fire moving back down Doe Canyon. (Courtesy of Ferris Fire Information)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

\u201cWe are moving a lot of fire resources over to the west side of the Dolores Rim to be available in case where there are homes and power lines and other critical infrastructure that we want to protect over there,\u201d Williams said.<\/p>\n

The west side is near homes, power lines and economic drivers, including range and timber.<\/p>\n

Currently, the private land that may be affected is under a \u201cset\u201d status regarding evacuations. This means those located in Zone 8, which includes parts of Dolores County Road 16, should be ready quickly to leave given the proximity of the fire, according to the Dolores County Office of Emergency Management\u2019s Facebook page<\/a>. All updates are posted directly to the page.<\/p>\n

The sign-up for the Dolores County emergency alert system is available online through an Everbridge community link<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>