Snow Ranch Fire near Aspen Springs – Pagosa Daily Post News Events and Video for Pagosa Springs Colorado

Fire start date: June 11, 2024

Size of fire yesterday: 3 acres

Location: 17 miles west of Pagosa Springs

Staff: 100

Cause: Lightning

INCIDENTAL OBJECTIVES:

• Manage hazards to responders and the public using a risk-based decision-making approach on an ongoing basis
• Protect critical values ​​under threat
• Reduce long-term risk to communities from future wildfires

Expect to see increased smoke tomorrow from the Snow Ranch Fire west of Pagosa Springs as fire crews initiate burn operations. Today, fire crews prepared an indirect containment line around approximately 400 acres of forest. Tomorrow, under favorable conditions, firefighters will begin “black lining” and interior fire operations using drip torches and a drone. Black lining is the term used to describe the application of fire to expand containment lines.

Wider containment lines increase firefighter safety and reduce the likelihood of a wildfire crossing the line. This strategy is expected to reduce risk to important assets such as private residences, serving local communities now and in the future, by providing firefighters with an advantage when conditions are less favorable. Smoke will be visible from US Highway 160 as the fire burns on the southern edge of the forest, a few miles north of the highway.

Please do not call 9-1-1 to report this fire.

Around a hundred people will be on site tomorrow to carry out operations and ensure that the fire remains within predetermined limits.

Fire activities will occur on both sides of NFSR 681 (Chris Mountain Trail) and fire traffic will be heavy, so please avoid this area.

Crews expect to reopen access to the road within a few days.