Another wildfire, named the Burro Fire, has started on the San Juan National Forest, approximately 23 miles east of Dolores, CO. It was reported at 3:45 pm in the area near Burro Mountain on the Dolores Ranger District. As of 7 pm, it was estimated at around 30 acres, but there has not been time for accurate mapping and it is growing.
As a result, for the safety of the public and firefighting resources, several area Forest roads and trails are closed to the public. Forest Roads #435 and #436 are closed at Highway 145, and the Gold Run, Roaring Fork, and Bear Creek Trails are closed.
The fire was moving downslope into the Bear Creek drainage and burning in spruce-fir vegetation. It was reported by a medical helicopter. The cause is undetermined as yet. There are no private land or structures in the area.
Multiple resources are assigned to the fire including a Type III Incident Commander, smokejumpers, 2 helicopters, 2 engines and some handcrews. Retardant has been ordered. The resources were available from local and pre-positioned out-of-area resources and were not diverted from the 416 Fire north of Durango. The two fires are approximately 13 miles apart.
More information will be made available tomorrow, or you can find information on Facebook and Twitter @SanJuanNF.
