Ferris, Far Draw Fires merge in southwest Colorado, evacuation notice issued for nearby residents
In southwest Colorado, the Ferris and Far Draw fires merged overnight, covering more than 9,591 acres according to the Dolores County Office of Emergency Management. The nearby Doe Canyon Fire also continued to burn and reached 1,046 acres before merging with the other two.
The Ferris Fire had burned 15,888 acres by Monday, June 29, with zero percent containment.
The DCOEM says the fires are located east of the Dolores River Canyon and are threatening Glade Ranches. The Dolores County Sheriff's Office has been working to contact residents after officials issued an evacuation notice for the area. On Saturday afternoon, the evacuation area was expanded to the private landholdings north of Glade Ranches as well. Officials say the evacuation order does not yet include the area above Disappointment Road.
A pre-evacuation notice has been issued for Dolores County residents east of Lone Mesa State Park to the Dolores/Norwood Road and north to Disappointment Road. Officials warned residents that an evacuation notification may be imminent if conditions continue to degrade.
The U.S. Forest Service says the fire is heading northeast towards Benchmark Lookout. Aircraft were able to complete some retardant drops at Benchmark and Glade Ranch on Sunday before high winds forced them to stop. They say firefighters have managed to create a safe anchor point along the south end of the Doe Canyon Fire.
The sheriff's office says road restrictions are now in place at the intersection of County Road 16 and County Road S. There will be no access to Bradfield Bridge Recreational Site, Cabin Canyon Campground, Ferris Canyon Campground, Metaska Day Use Site, Orniston Road, Glade Road and Dolores River Corridor Road until further notice.
So far, the fires have burned across U.S. Forest Service land, and no structures have been lost, the DCOEM said.
County officials warned residents that the fires are expected to continue to grow on Sunday as strong winds return to the area.
An air quality advisory was issued Sunday morning for many areas near or downwind of the multiple fires burning in western Colorado.
The good news is that the Bureau of Land Management and the Pleasantview Volunteer Fire Department managed to completely contain the Alkali Fire, which sparked west of Cahone on Saturday.
Firefighters with the Dove Creek Volunteer Fire Department were also able to stop several fires caused by lightning strikes in the area before they could grow.
