Durango – October 17, 2012, 5:30pm - The Vallecito Fire was pushed by winds back towards the reservoir this afternoon and is directly threatening homes in the Lakeview Estates subdivision. Firefighting resources from around La Plata County have responded for structure protection. The Upper Pine Fire District plans a community meeting at 7 pm at the Outpost near the Shank House for Vallecito residents. A USFS bulldozer working on fire line earlier today had to be pulled back, and a Red Flag Alert is not allowing for direct air or ground attack.
A fast moving wildfire six miles southeast of Mancos is threatening East Canyon near the area of this year’s earlier Weber Fire. Reported at just after 4 pm today, it is now estimated at more than 100 acres and growing. The USFS has called for evacuation at least 30 to 40 homes. The fire started on private land and has spread to BLM land.
A small fire estimated at ¼ to ½ acre has been reported in South Hope Creek drainage 10 miles northwest of Hermosa in the San Juan National Forest.