Drier weather in southwestern Colorado on Wednesday diminished chances of mudslides and flash floods, which hit the area Tuesday, as crews cleaned and reopened roads and highways that had been closed.
Weather in wildfire areas in southern Colorado should be a bit drier to wrap up the week, although there’s still a chance for afternoon and evening thunderstorms and showers, according to the National Weather Service.
Burn-area mudslides also have killed fish in the Animas River, according to state wildlife officials.
416 fire
Sections of U.S. 550 and 160 have reopened after being closed Tuesday evening by rain-driven mudslides. La Plata County roads that had shut down also have been reopened.
County Roads 250 & 250C have reopened. Still plenty of mud on the road so please be careful!
— La Plata County, CO (@LaPlataCountyCO)
On Wednesday, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad shut down for the day because of tracks buried in sloppy mud. The cause of the fire, which started June 1 about 13 miles north of Durango, remains listed as “unknown,” according to fire officials. Some people in Durango say the fire was caused by a coal-burning engine of the tourism-driven railroad.
On Wednesday evening, La Plata County commissioners voted unanimously to lift all fire restrictions.
Commissioners unanimously vote to lift all fire restrictions. Still, be smart with fire!
— La Plata County, CO (@LaPlataCountyCO)
The fire has burned more than 50,000 acres and was 50 percent contained earlier this week. An estimated date for full containment is July 31.
Lake Christine fire
Pre-evacuation notices for residents of Basalt and El Jebel were lifted Wednesday morning. Residents of Missouri Heights, however, remain under a pre-evacuation notice as the fire burns in close proximity of homes on its active northern flank, fire officials said. Residents are urged to stay informed and alert about the fire and local weather. Hot and dry conditions are expected into the weekend.
Fire activity increased Wednesday as it burned into heavy timber and abundant fuels, fire officials said. No structures were threatened, but smoke and flames increased, according to the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office.
The fire, which started July 3 about a mile northwest of Basalt, has burned more than 6,900 acres. The human-caused fire was 59 percent contained as of Wednesday night.
A Burned Area Emergency Response Team is scheduled to arrive at the fire Monday to mitigate threats of flooding and soil erosion.
Weston Pass fire
A new Pike and San Isabel National Forest order regarding occupancy and use restrictions in connection to the fire has been issued, fire officials said Wednesday.
Restricted roads and areas are inside the fire perimeter and in the panhandle of the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness. Signs will be posted on closed roads.
U.S. 285 from Fairplay to Antero Junction remained closed Wednesday in both directions because of flood damage, according to the state Department of Transportation.
TRAVEL ALERT – US 24 from Antero Junction to Johnson's Village NOW CLOSED due to a crash. US 285 from Fairplay to Antero Junction remains closed due to clean up and repair from Monday's flash flooding. Alternate routes are US 24 east to Colorado Springs or CO 9 south to US 50.
— Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) (@ColoradoDOT)
The wildfire, sparked by lightning June 28 about nine miles southwest of Fairplay, has burned more than 13,000 acres and was 93 percent contained Wednesday night.
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.
