Various Fires - June/July 2007 - SW Colorado & NW New Mexico

A landmark in the mountains of southwest Colorado since 1942, Jersey Jim Lookout is located on the San Juan National Forest at an elevation of nearly 10,000 feet. The original tower, constructed of local spruce, was replaced with a 55’ treated timber tower with a large live-in cab in 1964. It is no longer used solely for fire detection.

It is the fifth day of summer in Southwest Colorado. Temperatures for the last week have averaged from the high 80’s to the low 90’s with the relative humidity running from 6% to 11%. What is a firefighter to expect? Wildland fires; heat related EMS incidents; or perhaps vehicle accidents from increased tourist traffic? How about a chimney fire? The Upper Pine Fire District was dispatched to 146 County Road 501 at approximately 11:03 hours on June 25th, 2007 and arrived to find a one story dwelling with its chimney on fire. While the occasional chimney fire is not an unusual occurrence in Upper Pine’s district during the winter months, having one break out in June is not the norm. Fire crews had the incident under control within an hour and the fire did not extend beyond the flue. The incident is under investigation by the UPFD Fire Marshal.

NAVAJO DAM, NM - on July 2nd, 2007 the Rattlesnake Fire, located about five miles north of Navajo Dam, was at about 15 acres when some of these first photos were taken. Shortly afterward the fire blew up and grew to approximately 400 acres. About 150 firefighters, 14 engines and water tenders from the Four Corners Interagency Fire Management Crew, San Juan County, NM Fire Department, and Southern Ute BIA, New Mexico State Forestry, and Air Attack resources battled the blaze. There were some private homes east of where the fires location that were not threatened and twelve gas wells were temporarily shut down during the incident.

On July 4th, 2007 at approximately 0221 hours the Los Pinos Fire District was toned out for a reported structure fire at 8825 County Road 310. Radio reports from dispatch of a fully involved structure and a glow in the sky at the west end of the district led me call for mutual aid companies while enroute. We arrived on scene to find a two-story residence and four vehicles totally engulfed in flames. A portable monitor, an engine mounted deck gun, and a 1¾” attack line were deployed off of LPFD Engine 81. Durango Fire & Rescue Authority’s (DFRA) Engine 1 deployed a 2½” attack line upon their arrival. The two-story wood frame dwelling at this location was constructed around an existing single-wide mobile home. Water supply needs were met by way of a shuttle, utilizing three LPFD tankers, one DFRA tanker, as well as an additional tanker from the Upper Pine River Fire District (UPFD). The defensive fire attack stopped the forward progression of the fire and resulted in the incident being brought under control in approximately 1 hour.

HESPERUS, CO - A wind-driven wildfire on July 8th, 2007 scorched more than 1526 acres on Fort Lewis Mesa, burning a man's home and causing about 10 homes to be evacuated. Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Chief Steve Ebner said the fire, which first was reported at 14:45 hours, quickly tore through farmland and forests of juniper and beetle-stricken piñon. Authorities notified homes along County Roads 100, 113 and 114 to evacuate. A three-bedroom house on County Road 114, which burned to the ground, was the only structural loss. Numerous firefighters from nearby agencies assisted with fire, and aircraft helped douse it from above as well as monitor the direction it was moving. I spent about 30 hours at the fire driving LPFD’s Tanker 82, supplying the helicopter base fill site, as well as other engines working the fire.

DURANGO, CO - Just a few shots of the Dam Fire, located about a mile east of the Ridges Basin Dam that occurred on July 18th, 2007. The photos show the fire at about 7 acres and it consumed at least 9 acres before it was contained. Multiple Fire Agencies and Air Attack resources responded. The fire was completely surrounded by fire retardant by 20:45 hours, and overnight rain helped contain the blaze. A lightning strike sparked the blaze on Bureau of Reclamation land.

On July 21st, 2007 at approximately 19:23 hours the Upper Pine River Fire District was dispatched to a report of a house hit by lightning at 602 Magnolia Court. The first arriving engine company encountered smoke showing from the single family dwelling and found a well developed fire in the attic area above the garage. Upon the arrival of Deputy Chief Randy Larson, a request was made for all available Upper Pine Firefighters to respond to the working fire. Firefighters made their initial attack from the interior, but limited access and an extending fire created the need to utilize exterior lines for a short period. At one point in the fire attack the garage ceiling collapsed, triggering debris and a portion of the garage door to fall. With access to that portion of the attic now wide open, firefighters made short work of the remaining fire. The incident was brought under control in approximately one hour. A thunderstorm had passed through the Bayfield area just prior to the receipt of this alarm.