Durango fire news: Ute Park and Colorado wildfire map – 416 fire forces evacuations
FAST-MOVING wildfires in Durango, Colorado, near the New Mexico border have burned more than 1,100 acres of land leaving thousands forced to flee their homes as the blaze spreads. Here is the latest wildfire map of the damage.
By VICKIIE OLIPHANT
Express.co.uk
Sat, Jun 2, 2018
The rapidly burning wildfire sweeping through Durango has been filed by strong winds, forcing officials to declare a state of emergency.
La Plata County Manager Joanne Spina has proclaimed a state of local disaster in unincorporated areas of the county.
In a new release, the county said Spina’s declaration is to “activate the response and recovery aspects of any and all applicable local and inter-jurisdictional disaster emergency plans and to authorize the furnishing of aid and assistance under those plans.”
Spina recommended the state of local disaster continue for more than seven days.
Evacuations are in effect for about 825 residences while another 750 are under pre-evacuation notice.
Mandatory evacuations are in place for the Electra Lake area and residents are advised to travel north and check in at the Silverton Visitor Center to receive credentials.
The 416 Fire, as it is being called by locals, began at around 10am local time on Friday – burning just some ten miles outside Durango.
The sheer scale of the damage caused by the wildfire has since grown to 1,100 acres as of 7.30pm local time.
According to La Plata County, however, the fire behaviour is calming – but the flames have already destroyed more than 500 homes.
Winds and dry fuel have caused the fire to burn 863 acres, said Scot Davis, spokesman for the Forest Service.
The main objective is to keep the fire on the west side of Highway 550, he said.
Firefighters are battling to keep the 416 Fire from crossing the major road near Shalona Hill, where most homes are located.
But keeping the fire contained to the west side of the highway has been difficult, according to Butch Knowlton, director of La Plata County Emergency Management.
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