Dry conditions over the Memorial Day weekend sparked several wildfires around Southwestern Colorado.UPDATE 6/4/18, 2:10pm: The headline of this article has been modified to reflect the name of the 358 Fire near Durango.
The Horse Park Fire, burning in a remote area south of Norwood, has burned over 1000 acres as of Monday morning. The San Miguel County Sheriff’s office first reported the fire on Sunday afternoon in Disappointment Valley. The Bureau of Land Management and several other agencies are responding. Despite its size, the sheriff’s office says the blaze has limited potential to spread to populated areas. Officials instead encourage people to clear brush and other vegetation from their homes in case of similar incidents. The fire was expected to expand in size on Monday. Montezuma County Emergency managers say smoke from this fire may be visible from parts of the region.
Another wildfire that started northeast of Durango Friday afternoon is close to being contained. The Durango Herald reports the 358 Fire prompted five evacuations and several hundred pre-evacuation notices to homes in subdivisions along Florida road and in the Vallecito area. Those evacuation notices were lifted Sunday afternoon, and firefighters had the blaze about 95 percent contained as of Sunday evening. On Monday morning, the fire’s size was listed at 50 acres. No injuries or property damages were reported. The fire was reportedly sparked by a recreational shooter at a private gun range.
Dry conditions are expected to continue over the next few days, with the potential for thunderstorms in the high elevations. Fire restrictions remain in effect throughout the region. More information can be found by contacting your local firefighting agency.
