© 2024 KSUT Public Radio
NPR News and Music Discovery for the Four Corners
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Wildfire Burning North of Durango

The 416 Fire is currently burning in the San Juan National Forest about 10 miles North of Durango and about 3 miles northwest of Hermosa in the Mitchell Lakes area.

The fire was called in at 10:02 this morning and was estimated at 200 acres at 3:00 p.m.

The Iron King Subdivision and homes from Baker’s Bridge north to Rockwood, between the Animas River and U.S. Highway 550, are under mandatory evacuation. Evacuees can go to La Plata County Fairgrounds to check in.

The east side of Highway 550, from County Road 250 to Electra Lake is under a pre-evacuation order. Speaking on behalf of the National Forest Service, Scot Davis said “Anyone who is on pre-evacuation order needs to be ready to go.” One home was in imminent danger.

Highway 550 remains closed from milepost 34 through 48.

Fire crews from U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Durango Fire Protection District, Upper Pine Fire Protection District are on scene.

The team is monitoring critical fire conditions, including winds, through 10 p.m. Structure protection is priority, with eight structures threatened on the west side of U.S. Highway 550 in the Iron King subdivision.

Crews have laid fire retardant lines on the 416 Fire’s east side with the intent of preventing it from crossing to the east side of U.S. Highway 550. There are 15 air resources on scene. 

Ground crews are working on structure protection only; 8 are structures currently threatened in the Iron King subdivision. One additional structure is threatened outside the subdivision. All are on the west side of the highway. 

Check our Facebook page and stay tuned to KSUT this afternoon for fire updates as we receive them.

You can also find updates and wildfire resource links on our website at ksut.org

Ken Brott has been involved with the station for 30 years in various capacities, including programming, production, management and on-air talent...