Rapidly Growing 416 Fire Forces More Evacuations Near Durango
By Chris Spears
DURANGO, Colo. (CBS4) - A rapidly growing wildfire kept burning on Friday, fueled by strong winds in southwest Colorado's La Plata County. The La Plata County manager has declared a state of local disaster.
The fire had burned more than 1100 acres as of 8 p.m. More than 825 homes had been evacuated with another 750 under pre-evacuation.
The fire had doubled in size by 3 p.m. after winds shifted.
#416Fire update: 200 acres and growing. Winds have shifted and are coming out of the southwest. Residents on east side of Highway 550 west of Animas River evacuated from Rockwood south to Baker's Bridge. Pre-evacuation north to Electra Lake remains in effect
— La Plata County, CO (@LaPlataCountyCO) June 1, 2018
The so-called 416 Fire was burning about 10 miles north of Durango on the west side of Highway 550. It was first reported just after 10 a.m.
Update on the???? #416Fire ????#416Fire evacuees need to exit NORTH on U.S. Highway 550 - fire behavior has prompted a change. Do not head south on U.S. Highway 550
— SanJuanNF (@SanJuanNF) June 1, 2018
Alt Text: #416Fire from HWY 550 just below Glacier Point
???? USFS Public Information Officer pic.twitter.com/1TD7OaCXPr
Fire behavior has changed and as of 4:40 p.m. Friday, all evacuees need to exit north on Highway 550 instead of south on the highway.
Mandatory evacuations are underway for the Iron Gate Subdivision and pre-evacuations have been ordered for an area on the east side of the highway between County Road 250 and Electra Lake.
Other areas of evacuation include: Electra Lake south to Baker's Bridge, North Electra Lake to Meadow View Drive, including Purgatory, Durango Mountain Resort and Cascade Village under pre-evacuation.
#416Fire update: Electra Lake south to Baker's Bridge evacuated. North Electra Lake to Meadow View Drive, including Purgatory, Durango Mountain Resort and Cascade Village under pre-evacuation. Details: https://t.co/gD1L7SGKwm pic.twitter.com/RVnWdO8k3T
— La Plata County, CO (@LaPlataCountyCO) June 1, 2018
Everyone knew there'd be a close fire this year. This is from Baker's Bridge. Not my place. pic.twitter.com/xuhSRkr82P
— Bryce Sandoval™ (@bryce_sandoval) June 1, 2018
A visible loop from the Colorado built GOES-16 weather satellite showed a large smoke plume from the fire.
Here's the latest loop of smoke from the #416Fire north of Durango. You can see it right along Highway 550 below the word Purgatory. #COwx #4wx @COFire pic.twitter.com/HjTABspuYz
— Chris Spears (@ChrisCBS4) June 1, 2018
An air quality health advisory has been issued for southwest Colorado through Saturday morning, including Durango, Rockwood and Hermosa.
The area where the fire is burning continues to experience exceptional drought.
Crews are fighting the flames from both the ground and the air.
Officials said drones in the air near the fire were disrupting the air attack efforts and urged people to clear the area.
Drones are in the air near the #416Fire, disrupting air attack efforts. GET YOUR DRONES OUT OF THE SKY, PEOPLE!
— La Plata County, CO (@LaPlataCountyCO) June 1, 2018
Wildfire Resources
- Visit CBSDenver.com's Living With Wildfire section.
Wildfire Photo Galleries
- See images from the most destructive wildfires (Black Forest, Waldo Canyon, High Park and Fourmile), the deadliest (Storm King) and largest wildfire (Hayman) in Colorado history.
Meteorologist Chris Spears travels weekly in the CBS4 Mobile Weather Lab reporting about Colorado's weather and climate. Check out his bio, connect with him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @ChrisCBS4.