416 Fire

The 416 Fire started around 10:00 a.m. on June 1, 2018, approximately 10 miles (16 kilometres) north of Durango, Colorado and west of Highway 550, adjacent to the tracks for the historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. By the morning of June 2, the fire had expanded into the San Juan National Forest and had burned an estimated 1,100 acres (445 ha). The highway was closed between milemarkers 34 and 48 for public safety and to allow firefighters to keep the fire from crossing the highway. County Road 250 was also closed. Evacuation orders were put in place for residents of Baker's Bridge at County Road 250 north to Electra Lake Road, where 825 structures are threatened.[16]

By the evening of June 3, the fire had grown to 2,255 acres (913 ha) and was 10 percent contained. It expanded Hermosa Creek, prompting officials to issue pre-evacuation orders to the community of Hermosa.[17] The next day, the fire showed significant activity due to winds. Highway 550 was again closed due to heavy smoke and fire teams focused on building defensible spaces around buildings and using controlled burns as needed.[18] The fire is at 10 percent containment.[19]

By June 5, new pre-evacuation orders were put in place for areas east of Hermosa due to southerly winds keeping the flames on the ridgeline on the slopes near the community. Temperatures were hotter than average and Forest Service personnel cited increased drought conditions as creating additional challenges.[20] Crews continued to fight the fire using aerial support.[21]

The Burro Fire began on the opposite side of the Hermosa Creek Wilderness Area on June 8.[8][22] As of July 2, 2018 the fire had spread to within 10 miles (16 kilometres) of the 416 fire and burned over 4,000 acres (1,619 ha).[8]

By June 29, the 416 fire had expanded to 41,617 acres (16,842 ha) and was 37 percent contained. The fire continued moving north, with crews clearing and chipping brush piles along the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Burnouts continued in the southwest in No Buck Creek.[23]

By July 1, the fire had grown to 49,301 acres (19,951 ha) and was 37 percent contained. Temperatures enabled crews to focus on containment in the south and southwestern side of the fire, while northwest winds caused smokey conditions for communities along Highway 550, including Durango and Hermosa Creek. Concerns about the fire impacting the Purgatory Resort were reduced, however hotshot crews remained in the area to protect the resort, if needed.[2]

The 416 Fire was declared fully contained on July 31, 2018, after burning 52,778 acres (21,358 ha) acres over 61 days. The Burro Fire was contained a day later, on Aug. 1, 2018.