416 Fire Grows 1,000 Acres; New Evacuation Orders Issued
DURANGO, Colo. (CBS4)- Fire officials in La Plata County updated the public about the 416 Fire on Saturday morning. They say the fire has yet again grown -- now sitting at 8,691 acres with 10 percent containment.
The fire started June 1 about 10 miles north of Durango. Full containment isn't expected until June 30. The cause hasn't been determined.
The fire jumped Hermosa Creek, west of the campground, on Friday.
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New evacuations were ordered Saturday afternoon for Falls Creek, High Meadows and homes west of CR 203 between Trimble and Cometti Lanes.
PHOTO GALLERY: 416 Fire
Residences on the east side of CR 203 to the Animas River between Cometti/Mead/Albrecht Lanes and south to Trimble Lane remain under pre-evacuation notice.
Officials also closed several trails: Salt Creek Trail, Ryman Trail, Corral Draw Trail, the Colorado Trail from Molas Pass to Junction Creek and Upper Ryman Trail.
A Code Red alert was issued telling homeowners they must leave as soon as possible.
Escalante Middle School will serve as an evacuation center. It is open 24 hours a day, and evacuated residents are asked to check in there to receive more information.
Livestock is being housed at the La Plata County Fairgorunds. The emergency call center at (970) 385-8700 can help coordinate pick-up of livestock. Small animals are being accepted at the La Plata County Humane Society.
U.S. 550 going south is closed indefinitely.
Nearly 700 firefighters are on scene. Kyle Miller is serving alongside them and has been snapping incredible images of their hardwork.
Miller posted to his Facebook page on Friday say firefighters cut a Ponderosa tree down after it's core had died and fire got inside. He says the tree would have fallen above a road if a saw team didn't take it down.
LINK: 416 Fire
Yet another fire flared up in nearby Montezuma County near Cortez. The Burro Fire grew to 100 acres after starting on Friday.
An air quality advisory was issued Saturday by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. They say portions of southwestern Colorado, including La Plata, San Juan, Hinsdale and northeastern Montezuma Counties are included. Cities include, but are not limited to, Durango, Rockwood, Hermosa, Silverton and Lake City.
What caused the fire is being investigated.
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