Release Date: May 19, 2022
Critical Fire Weather expected on the Plumtaw Fire Today
PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colo., 19 May, 2022—The Plumtaw Fire is burning 7 miles north of Pagosa Springs. An evacuation notice is still in place for the Lost Valley of the San Juans, located in northern Archuleta and southern Mineral Counties, CO. No further evacuations or pre-evacuations have been ordered. For evacuation information, contact the Archuleta County Emergency Operations Call Center at 970-422-7084. The fire area is closed to the public, per closure order SJN-2022-07. The closure includes Fourmile Road (NFSR 645) at the forest boundary, Plumtaw Road (NFSR 634) from the junction of McManus Road (NFSR 633), Fourmile Trail, Anderson Trail, and Cade Mountain ATV Trail.
Yesterday, crews safely and effectively anchored and secured the line off the Fourmile Road and Plumtaw Road. Significant cloud cover helped limit fire behavior and fire retardant application on the north flank kept the fire in check. Today, critical fire weather is expected, with high temperatures, high winds and very low humidity, which may create challenges for firefighters.
Crews worked diligently throughout Wednesday’s operational period and bedded down yesterday evening to prepare for today. “Fire managers have to practice risk-based decision making and keeping our firefighters and the public safe is the number one priority,” said Incident Commander Brad Pietruszka. “Potential still exists for the fire to cross Fourmile Road, but well-rested crews are better prepared to make good, safe, and effective decisions.”
Acres burned: 735
Personnel: 184
Containment: 0%
Cost to date: 1.1 million
The San Juan National Forest will enter Stage 1 Fire Restrictions at 12:01am on Friday, May 20. More information is to come this week on fire restriction implementation.
For regular up-to-date information on the Plumtaw Fire, visit the InciWeb page: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8113/ and follow the Plumtaw Fire Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PlumtawFire
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