Updated 5:35 p.m., June 30
Firefighters have started containing two wildfires in Montezuma County that began during a weekend of high fire danger.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Yellow Jacket Fire has grown to 395 acres, according to Durango Interagency Fire Dispatch. The fire, straddling private property and a portion of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, is now 50% contained. No evacuations have been issued.
To the south, the Spring Fire remained at 155 acres and was fully contained Tuesday, The Journal reported. The fire, west of Goodman Point and within the national monument, was spotted Sunday.
Both fires are suspected to have been caused by a lightning strike.
Crews are also battling the Morefield Fire in Mesa Verde National Park, which was reported on Saturday evening. According to a park press release Tuesday afternoon, the fire had held at 46 acres. Crews from the National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and U.S. Forest Service were providing aviation resources and ground attack.
The national park remains open with services limited due to COVID-19 and high fire danger. A fire ban is still in effect in the park along with several trail closures.
Fire danger in the region is expected to remain high through the week. The National Weather Service predictsthe next chance of rain to be on Friday.
Daniel Rayzel contributed reporting.
