Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostMegan Emerson, right, and other members of the Montana Bitterroot Hotshots, use hand tools to put in a shaded fuel break and cut a hand line around a home along County Road 205 to protect it from the 416 Fire on June 14, 2018. The fire is estimated at about 32,000 acres with only 15% containment. Predicted thunderstorms were expected to potentially bring in strong outflow winds and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior today. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1st.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostMembers of the Montana Bitterroot Hotshots use hand tools and chain saws to put in a shaded fuel break and cut a hand line around a home along County Road 205 to protect it from the 416 Fire on June 14, 2018. The fire is estimated at about 32,000 acres with only 15% containment. Predicted thunderstorms were expected to potentially bring in strong outflow winds and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior today. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1st.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostSawyer Jack Nerison, a member of the Montana Bitterroot Hotshots, takes a moment to sharpen the teeth on his chain saw as he and other members used saws and hand tools to put in a shaded fuel break and cut a hand line around a home along County Road 205 to protect it from the 416 Fire on June 14, 2018. The fire is estimated at about 32,000 acres with only 15% containment. Predicted thunderstorms were expected to potentially bring in strong outflow winds and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior today. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1st.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostKyle Swanstrom, right, a firefighter with a Type II hand crew with Idaho Department of Lands, chats with members of his crew after gearing up before heading out for the day on the fire line of the 416 Fire on June 14, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire is estimated at about 32,000 acres with only 15% containment. Predicted thunderstorms may bring strong outflow winds and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior today. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostFirefighters make their way back from breakfast at fire camp before heading back out on the fire line of the 416 Fire on June 14, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire is estimated at about 32,000 acres with only 15% containment. Predicted thunderstorms may bring strong outflow winds and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior today. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostBurned trees and scorched earth can be seen in the forest where the 416 fire burned on June 13, 2018 near Hermosa. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has now burned 26,500 acres. The fire is 15% contained. No homes have burned and no firefighters have been injured.
Jerry McBride, The Durango Herald via APAs the sun sets, smoke rises from a 416 Fire burn area west of the Falls creek Ranch subdivision late Wednesday, June 13, 2018, near Durango, Colo.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostBurned trees and scorched earth can be seen in the forest where the 416 fire burned on June 13, 2018 near Hermosa. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has now burned 26,500 acres. The fire is 15% contained. No homes have burned and no firefighters have been injured.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostBurned trees along a ridge line can be seen in the forest where the 416 fire burned on June 13, 2018 near Hermosa. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has now burned 26,500 acres. The fire is 15% contained. No homes have burned and no firefighters have been injured.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostBurned trees and scorched earth can be seen in the forest where the 416 fire burned on June 13, 2018 near Hermosa. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has now burned 26,500 acres. The fire is 15% contained. No homes have burned and no firefighters have been injured.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostBurned trees and scorched earth can be seen in the forest where the 416 fire burned on June 13, 2018 near Hermosa. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has now burned 26,500 acres. The fire is 15% contained. No homes have burned and no firefighters have been injured.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostBurned trees along a ridge line can be seen in the forest where the 416 fire burned on June 13, 2018 near Hermosa. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has now burned 26,500 acres. The fire is 15% contained. No homes have burned and no firefighters have been injured.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostBurned trees and scorched earth can be seen in the forest where the 416 fire burned on June 13, 2018 near Hermosa. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has now burned 26,500 acres. The fire is 15% contained. No homes have burned and no firefighters have been injured.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostA home sits in a green area right next to a completely burned hillside on June 13, 2018 near Hermosa. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has now burned 26,500 acres. The fire is 15% contained. No homes have burned and no firefighters have been injured.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostA line cut by firefighters shows shows where the 416 fire burned and what was saved in the forest where the 416 fire burned on June 13, 2018 near Hermosa. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has now burned 26,500 acres. The fire is 15% contained. No homes have burned and no firefighters have been injured.
Jerry McBride, The Durango Herald via APSmoke rises from the 416 Fire behind the U.S. Highway 550 road block at Cometti Lane on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, near Durango, Colo.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostKen Gregor, Operations Sections chief trainee, points out fire activity of the 416 Fire on a map during a media briefing at the Incident Command at Animas Valley Elementary school on June 13, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, has burned an estimated 26,500 acres. No homes have burned and no firefighters have been injured. The black lines on the map at right are containment lines. The fire is 15% contained.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostA deer hides in the woods at the Lower Hermosa campground which was saved by firefighters from burning in the 416 Fire on June 13, 2018 near Hermosa. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has now burned 26,500 acres. The fire is 15% contained. No homes have burned and no firefighters have been injured.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostColorado State Patrol officer Ben Stuever, left, talks to homeowner Jim Siepiela, right, before allowing him through the road closure along Highway 550 on June 13, 2018 in Hermosa. Homeowners living in a select group of neighborhoods past Hermosa were allowed past the road closure to go back home after almost 2 weeks of being evacuated because of the 415 fire. Highway 550 has been closed at Hermosa since the start of the fire. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has now burned 26,500 acres. No homes have burned and no firefighters have been injured.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostColorado State Patrol officer Ben Stuever directs homeowners as he allows them to go through the road closure along Highway 550 on June 13, 2018 in Hermosa. Homeowners living in a select group of neighborhoods past Hermosa were allowed past the road closure to go back home after almost 2 weeks of being evacuated because of the 415 fire. Highway 550 has been closed at Hermosa since the start of the fire. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has now burned 26,500 acres. No homes have burned and no firefighters have been injured.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostOvernight inversions in the evening from cooler air valley cause heavy smoke in the valley on June 13, 2018 in Durango. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has now burned 25,900 acres. No homes have burned and no firefighters have been injured.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostHermosa residents Mandy and Andy Dougherty made a sign to thank firefighters for saving their home from the 416 fire on June 12, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has burned over 22,000 acres. The couple, who are still evacuated, said their home came very close to burning but was saved by firefighters.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostA large helicopter looks for a spot to make a water drop on the 416 fire on June 12, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has burned over 22,000 acres.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostA large helicopter passes homes as it returns for water after making a water drop on the 416 fire on June 12, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has burned over 22,000 acres.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCyclists look at the large plume of the 416 fire as they make their way up Highway 160 on June 12, 2018 near Hesperus. The 416 fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has burned over 22,000 acres.
HERMOSA, CO - JUNE 12: A large helicopter returns for water after making a water drop on the 416 fire on June 12, 2018 in Hermosa, Colorado. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has burned over 22,000 acres. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostArt Nichols mows his lawn along Highway 550 as the large plume of the 416 fire begins to build in the dry afternoon in the San Juan National Forest on June 12, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has burned over 22,000 acres. The county enacted Stage 3 fire restrictions and made the unusual move to close the San Juan National Forest as the 416 Fire continues to burn.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostThe large plume of the 416 fire begins to build in the dry afternoon in the San Juan National Forest on June 12, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has burned over 22,000 acres. The county enacted Stage 3 fire restrictions and made the unusual move to close the San Juan National Forest as the 416 Fire continues to burn.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostBlake Gammon, 4, left and his sister Brielle, 2, came from Farmington, New Mexico with their mother, Kelsey, not pictured, to watch the 416 fire along Highway 550 on June 12, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has burned over 22,000 acres.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostColorado state patrol officers help maintain road closures on County Road 205 on June 12, 2018 in Durango. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has now burned 25,900 acres. No homes have burned and no firefighters have been injured.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostA large helicopter makes a water drop on the 416 fire on June 12, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has burned over 22,000 acres.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostThe Dry Fork trail in the San Juan National Forest is one of many trails closed as a result of the 416 fire on June 12, 2018 in Durango. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has burned over 22,000 acres. The county enacted Stage 3 fire restrictions and made the unusual move to close the San Juan National Forest as the 416 Fire continues to burn.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostFire crews arrive for night duty as they head toward the 416 fire along County Road 205 on June 12, 2018 in Durango. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has now burned 25,900 acres. No homes have burned and no firefighters have been injured.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostA Forest Service engine watches over the Dry Fork trail in the San Juan National Forest to make sure no one uses it as it is one of many trails closed as a result of the 416 fire on June 12, 2018 in Durango. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has burned over 22,000 acres. The county enacted Stage 3 fire restrictions and made the unusual move to close the San Juan National Forest as the 416 Fire continues to burn.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostA large helicopter looks for a spot to make a water drop on the 416 fire on June 12, 2018 in Hermosa. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has burned over 22,000 acres.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostSara Moles, left, a barista at Durango Joe's, wears a mask to protect her lungs from the smoke caused by the 416 fire as she serves coffee to customers on June 13, 2018 in Durango. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has now burned 25,900 acres. No homes have burned and no firefighters have been injured.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostDenver police officers, who came all the way from Denver, talk with residents as they help maintain road closures on County Road 205 on June 12, 2018 in Durango. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has now burned 25,900 acres. No homes have burned and no firefighters have been injured.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostHelicopters work until almost dark putting water drops on the 416 fire on June 12, 2018 in Durango. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1 and has now burned 25,900 acres. No homes have burned and no firefighters have been injured.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
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Megan Emerson, right, and other members of the Montana Bitterroot Hotshots, use hand tools to put in a shaded fuel break and cut a hand line around a home along County Road 205 to protect it from the 416 Fire on June 14, 2018. The fire is estimated at about 32,000 acres with only 15% containment. Predicted thunderstorms were expected to potentially bring in strong outflow winds and increase the potential for extreme fire behavior today. The fire, burning 23 miles northwest of Durango, started June 1st.
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By Kirk Mitchell | kmitchell@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
An ever-growing number of firefighters are battling the 416 fire north of Durango as it continues to scorch its way through the San Juan National Forest, authorities say.
The battalion-strength crew has now grown to 1,137 firefighters.
The wildfire has burned 32,959 acres about 13 miles north of Durango. The fire is now 18 percent contained, according to the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team.
A red flag warning will be in place between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Friday because of the increased fire risk due to expected dry lightning and 40 mph winds, a news release says.
The good news is that a soaking rain storm is expecting over the fire area on Friday and Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
Residents in areas where evacuations have been lifted will be allowed to return to their homes between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Friday.
Drought conditions and the wildfire have closed the San Juan National Forest in southwest Colorado for the first time in its 113-year history.
Wildfires in Colorado and the U.S.
The map shows active wildfire locations and all 2018 fire perimeters*. The map defaults to Colorado; to see all wildfires, click “U.S.” in the view area. Click the map layers icon in the top right corner of the map to change map backgrounds and to toggle active and contained fires, and perimeters. Click a marker or perimeter for details. To view the full map and a table of all 2018 wildfires, click here.
*Data comes from two sources, and , and could contain inconsistencies. Map by Kevin Hamm and Daniel J. Schneider.